Lawmakers Urge Treasury to Sanction Three India-Based Hack-for-Hire Firms
Summary
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged Treasury to sanction Sunkissed Organic Farms, BellTroX and CyberRoot, citing alleged espionage against Americans and companies, efforts to suppress reporting, and ties to operations for Qatar.
Key points
- Sens. Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Pat Harrigan asked Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick to add the three firms to the Treasury Department’s Entity List.
- The lawmakers say the firms have conducted targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, companies and lawyers for more than 15 years and allegedly stolen data from thousands.
- They also accuse the firms and associates of using foreign courts to suppress investigative reporting about their activities.
- The lawmakers cited evidence that the groups operated at Qatar’s behest, including alleged targeting of opponents of Qatar’s World Cup bid and a former House Intelligence chairman’s family member.
- The article says one operative has been indicted by the Justice Department; the firms and government of Qatar did not respond to requests for comment.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers urged the Treasury Department to sanction three India-based hack-for-hire firms.
- Impact
- The lawmakers cited alleged years of espionage against U.S. citizens, companies, and lawyers; data theft affecting thousands of Americans and U.S. companies; efforts to suppress investigative reporting; and alleged operations on behalf of the Qatari government. The proposed sanctions would limit the firms’ access to American software, cybersecurity tools, and cloud infrastructure.
People
Howard LutnickTreasury secretary to whom the lawmakers sent their letter.Kristi RogersIdentified by Reuters as the family member of former House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers reportedly targeted by the groups.Mike RogersFormer House Intelligence Chairman; the article identifies Kristi Rogers as his wife.Pat HarriganU.S. representative who joined the letter urging Treasury to sanction the firms.Ron WydenU.S. senator who joined the letter urging Treasury to sanction the firms.Sheldon WhitehouseU.S. senator who joined the letter urging Treasury to sanction the firms.
Threat Actors
AppinFormer name of Sunkissed Organic Farms, according to the article.BellTroXIndia-based hack-for-hire firm named by lawmakers, who cited alleged espionage and data theft.CyberRootIndia-based hack-for-hire firm named by lawmakers, who cited alleged espionage and data theft.Sunkissed Organic FarmsIndia-based hack-for-hire firm named by lawmakers, who cited alleged espionage and data theft; formerly known as Appin.