Bulgarian Authorities Nab Eight Suspected of Phishing

Published: January 25, 2006

by Alex Woodie

Microsoft this week applauded the efforts of Bulgarian law enforcement in the capture of eight people suspected of running an international phishing operation. The agency, the National Services to Combat Organized Crime (NSCOC), conducted raids in three Bulgarian cities this week and apprehended the suspects, which NSCOC and Microsoft say are part of an international criminal network that commits financial fraud and steals personal data through the Internet.

The group, which was passing itself off as MBAM, or Microsoft Billing Account Management, allegedly spoofed e-mails to make them appear as if they were sent by MSN customer service representatives, Microsoft says. These e-mails led to fake Web sites that the group set up surreptitiously by hacking into 43 servers located in 11 countries. These Web sites were built to resemble an authentic Microsoft Web site, but which was actually used for tricking people into giving up their valuable personal information. The "MBAM Gang" is accused of stealing more than $50,000 from credit card holders in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

"We are pleased to have collaborated with the Bulgarian authorities in their swift and effective action in this case," said Horacio Gutierrez, associate general counsel for Microsoft Europe. "This is an important step forward in the combat against those who prey on Internet users."