Dutch Police Nab Hacker Who Claimed He Stole FBI Data

Tue Sep 29 2026 17:13:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Dutch arrest brings an international hacker group into focus after they bragged about hacking the FBI. Get the quick scoop on the fallout.

Dutch police arrested a 24‑year‑old Adam‑based suspect linked to the ShinyHunters hacking collective, who claimed to have stolen data on 38,000 FBI employees. The arrest came before the group’s alleged breach of several FBI databases, raising alarms about insider‑style spy‑like theft. FBI officials praised Dutch partners and urged any remaining members to turn themselves in. ShinyHunters, which started in France, has a history of breaching big‑name platforms such as Rockstar Games and the Canvas education system, using a weakness in Oracle’s cloud service. The group’s motives appear to be political provocation rather than financial gain, according to FBI statements.

Who’s in jail and why it matters

Dutch police just nabbed a 24‑year‑old suspect tied to the ShinyHunters hacker crew. The group boasted it had ripped sensitive info from 38,000 FBI staff members—names, badge numbers, addresses, you name it.

The arrest happened on 15 September, before the claimed FBI breach on 21 September. Police say the hacker’s laptop held details about two planned foreign murders, a chilling side‑story that has put the crime‑scene spotlight on his motives.

FBI Director Kash Patel thanked Dutch authorities and called on any remaining ShinyHunters operatives to surrender. He warned the group’s tech‑savvy “sorry” for cracking the FBI is no excuse for the fallout.

ShinyHunters isn’t a new kid on the block. They first popped up in France and have gapped into major platforms—from Rockstar Games to the Canvas learning system. Their recent claim they exploited a flaw in Oracle cloud storage was the kick‑off for the FBI attack, yet they said money wasn’t the goal.

The FBI’s public service announcement still describes ShinyHunters as “threat actors” who use exaggerated data claims for payment scams. That exposure might make the group rethink its strategy.