Two Sudanese brothers accused of launching 35,000 cyber attacks targeting governments and major companies.
American authorities have charged Sudanese citizens for their involvement in widespread cyber attacks targeting governmental systems and major companies around the world, including the United States and the European Union.
The charges indicate that the suspects, Ahmed Salah Youssef Omar and Alaa Salah Youssef Omar, carried out more than 35,000 cyber attacks using Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) technology under the umbrella of the “Anonymous Sudan” group, which presents itself as an activist movement.
The attacks, which began in early 2023, led to the disruption of services for several major entities, such as Microsoft and PayPal, and caused extensive technological and financial damages. The attacks also targeted hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, affecting healthcare delivery.
Despite the group’s claims of being activists, they also used the attacks as a means of extortion, demanding ransom from some companies in exchange for stopping the attacks. The suspects are facing multiple charges related to the destruction of protected systems, and Ahmed Salah may face a life sentence if convicted.
