Some clients of a suspected gang of hackers allegedly knew their “requested investigations” were illegal, according to Carabinieri in Varese. These clients may have helped the hackers avoid repercussions, the police stated in court documents released on Wednesday.
The documents, from June, show how some of the gang’s clients may well have been ready to help hackers escape if necessary. The papers detail how hacker Nunzio Samuele Calamucci – an alleged ringleader under house arrest – often travelled with a private Swiss airline. Europol investigators found that Calamucci once requested flight details between London and Rome in March 2022.
The investigation includes a February 2023 wiretap where Calamucci discussed “Beyond” – the gang’s data platform – in connection with fugitive Salvatore Accarino. He claimed the gang’s support had kept Accarino in hiding.
This probe, impacting over 800,000 alleged victims, has mainly targeted business leaders. Police say the gang of hackers also accessed data on high-ranking politicians, athletes, and celebrities.
Infiltrated Cybersecurity Agency
The Milanese anti-mafia investigative directorate (DIA) and National anti-mafia directorate (DNA) are leading the case. According to investigators, the gang – allegedly led by former police officer Carmine Gallo and Calamucci – gained insight into the National Cybercrime Centre’s activities for protecting critical infrastructure.
Wiretaps also revealed that Calamucci claimed connections with the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN). “We were inside the unit… the one now called ACN,” he was heard saying.
