A teenager has been arrested in connection with a series of sophisticated cyberattacks on Las Vegas casinos in 2023, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The attacks, which occurred between August and October, targeted multiple casino properties and were linked to an organized cyber threat group known by names such as “Scattered Spider,” “Octo Tempest,” “UNC3944,” and “0ktapus.” While police did not specify which casinos were affected, both MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment were known to be targets of high-profile cyberattacks during that period.
The investigation was led by the FBI’s Las Vegas Cyber Task Force, which includes the Metro’s Cyber Investigative Group, due to the complexity and severity of the crimes. Detectives identified a teenage boy as a suspect. On Wednesday, he surrendered at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, where he was booked on multiple charges, including three counts of obtaining and using personal identifying information, one count of extortion, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, and one count of unlawful acts regarding computers.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to have the juvenile tried as an adult in criminal court. MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment have not issued comments regarding the arrest.
