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Argentina Dismantles 'Dictadores' Cybercrime Ring With 11 Arrested

Forensic teams are tracing breached databases to clarify possible laundering ties after seizing devices, cash and vehicles.

Overview

  • Federal Police acting under the National Security Ministry executed 22 coordinated raids across Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba and Mendoza, detaining 11 suspects.
  • 'Dictadores' allegedly commercialized an automated tool called 'Sherlock Alerts' that returned personal records from compromised public and private databases using identifier queries such as DNI numbers.
  • Investigators identified roles spanning administrators, developers and technical operators, with the 'Sherlock' creator using the alias Treenix and linked groups operating under shifting usernames.
  • Techniques cited include phishing, social engineering, manipulation of official records, fake medical prescriptions, card‑data capture sites, grooming for financial gain and the paid use of accounts from low‑income recruits.
  • Seizures included phones, computers, multiple currencies, vehicles, cards and over two kilograms of marijuana, and the case remains under the Federal Court in Campana with DICCO‑led analysis ongoing since a March 10 detection.