International investigation efforts have led to the arrest of an 18-year-old man in the United Kingdom in connection with the Christmas Day DDoS attacks which crippled both Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.
The arrest was made Friday morning in Southport, a seaside town in Merseyside, England; the suspect, whose name was not released, is being held on suspicion of unauthorized access to computer material with intent to commit further offenses, swatting (false emergency calls), and threats to kill. Thames Valley Police confirmed that the suspect was being held for questioning regarding the Christmas Day DDoS attacks, and the arrest was made in conjunction with cybercrime authorities in the UK and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US.
In a statement, South East Regional Organize Crime Unit cyber crime unit head Craig Jones cited this investigation and arrest as a “good example of joint law enforcement cooperation cooperation in relation to a type of criminality that is not restricted by any geographical boundaries,” and that they will “continue to work closely with the FBI” to bring the attackers to justice.
The hacking group Lizard Squad claimed responsibility for the DDoS attacks but though a member of the group was arrested earlier this month for unrelated crimes, so far there has been no proof connecting the group to the crime.
