Young individuals face legal consequences for conducting a significant cyber assault on Transport for London, resulting in substantial financial losses estimated in millions.
In a significant development, two teenagers have been charged in relation to a series of high-profile cyber attacks that targeted UK retailers and Transport for London (TfL). The National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK's leading policing agency in the fight against organised crime, has been at the forefront of the investigation.
The charges against Thalha Jubair (19, from east London) and Owen Flowers (18, from Walsall in the West Midlands) mark a key step in a lengthy and complex investigation, according to Deputy Director Paul Foster, head of the NCA's Cyber Crime Unit. The NCA, along with UK policing and international partners, including the FBI, are collectively committed to identifying offenders within these networks and ensuring they face justice.
The cyber attack on M&S, which occurred in April, caused disruption that lasted months and estimated losses of up to £300m this year. The attack halted online orders, made it unable to process contactless payments, and resulted in empty shelves in shops. The attack did not cause any wider disruption to transport networks but did force TfL to shut down some areas of operation, including traffic cameras and "dial-a-ride" bookings, and made it unable to process some payments. The cyber attack on TfL, which occurred on 31 August 2024, cost the operator millions of pounds in losses and recovery.
Luxury retailer Harrods was also affected, with some systems needing to be shut down despite its website and shops continuing to operate. Days after M&S was targeted, the Co-op was attacked and forced to shut down some internal systems.
Both Jubair and Flowers were arrested on Tuesday at their homes, as part of an operation by officers from the NCA and City of London Police. Jubair has been additionally charged for failing to disclose the pin or passwords for devices seized from him.
Flowers has also been accused of potential offending against US healthcare companies. He was first arrested on 6 September 2024. Flowers has been charged with conspiring to infiltrate and damage the networks of SSM Health Care Corporation and attempting to do the same to Sutter Health's networks.
The NCA investigation into the cyber attacks has involved support from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police. The NCA warned earlier this year of an increase in the threat from cyber criminals based in the UK and other English-speaking countries. The cyber attacks on the UK retailers are described as a clear example of this increase in threat.
The Scattered Spider hacking network, linked with these attacks, has been identified as notorious for large-scale attacks on three UK retailers this year. The NCA, in its investigation, has noted connections to cybercriminals based in other English-speaking countries, including the United States.
Both Jubair and Flowers are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates on Thursday charged with conspiring together to commit unauthorised acts against TfL, under the Computer Misuse Act. The NCA, UK policing, and international partners remain vigilant in their efforts to combat cybercrime and protect the public.
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