In a major victory against cybercrime, the FBI has successfully taken down the Warzone RAT malware operation. This operation led to the arrest of two individuals involved in the illicit activities. One of the suspects, 27-year-old Daniel Meli from Malta, was apprehended for his role in the distribution of Warzone RAT, a notorious remote access trojan used for various cybercrimes.

Warzone RAT, also known as 'AveMaria,' surfaced in 2018 as a commodity malware offering a range of malicious features. These include bypassing User Account Control (UAC), stealing passwords and cookies, keylogging, remote desktop access, webcam recording, and more. Meli's arrest took place last week in Malta following an indictment issued by U.S. law enforcement authorities on December 12, 2023.

The charges against Meli include unauthorised damage to protected computers, illegally selling and advertising an electronic interception device, and participating in a conspiracy to commit several computer intrusion offences. He has been involved in the cybercrime space since at least 2012, starting at the age of 15 by selling hacking ebooks and the Pegasus RAT for a criminal group called 'Skynet-Corporation.'

Simultaneously, another key figure linked to Warzone RAT, Prince Onyeoziri Odinakachi, 31, from Nigeria, was arrested for providing customer support to cybercriminals purchasing access to the malware. Federal authorities in Boston seized four domains, including the primary website "warzone.ws," associated with Warzone RAT.

The international law enforcement effort coordinated by the FBI not only resulted in arrests but also identified and confiscated server infrastructure related to the malware across various countries, including Canada, Croatia, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania.

While the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) mainly implicates Meli in the distribution and customer support for the malware, it remains unclear whether he is the original creator of Warzone RAT. The DoJ announcement reveals Meli's involvement as a seller in the cybercrime space since the age of 15, raising questions about the malware's origin.

Meli faces serious consequences, with a potential 15-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss (whichever is greater) for the charges against him. The Northern District of Georgia seeks Meli's extradition from Malta to the United States for trial.

This successful operation not only brings two significant cybercriminals to justice but also marks a crucial step in dismantling the infrastructure supporting Warzone RAT. The FBI's coordinated efforts with international law enforcement agencies highlight the commitment to combating cyber threats on a global scale. The implications of this takedown will likely have a positive impact on cybersecurity efforts worldwide, deterring future vicious activities.