Suspected ShinyHunters leader arrested in the Netherlands
Dutch police arrested a 24-year-old Amsterdam man on September 15 in connection with ShinyHunters, the hacking collective that has claimed high-profile breaches including Ticketmaster, Rockstar Games and, more recently, the FBI. Media outlets Krebs on Security and Reuters identify the suspect as Pepijn van der Stap, a figure previously convicted for data theft and extortion in 2023.
Why It Matters
The arrest targets a person alleged to be a leader of a group responsible for multiple major data breaches, potentially affecting ongoing investigations and the security of breached organizations. Authorities from the Netherlands and the FBI indicate the detention could yield further investigative leads.
Key Facts
- Arrest date: September 15, 2026
- Suspect age and location: 24-year-old man from Amsterdam
- Group implicated: ShinyHunters
- Media identification: Krebs on Security and Reuters report the suspect as Pepijn van der Stap
- Prior conviction: Convicted in 2023 for data theft and extortion
Dutch authorities announced the arrest of a 24-year-old Amsterdam resident on September 15 in a case linked to ShinyHunters, the hacking group that has claimed responsibility for intrusions at companies such as Ticketmaster and Rockstar Games and more recently asserted it breached the FBI website. The police made the announcement in a press release but did not publish the suspect’s name. Independent reporting by Krebs on Security and Reuters, however, says the detained individual is Pepijn van der Stap.
Those outlets note van der Stap served a conviction in 2023 for data theft and extortion and later joined the Dutch cybersecurity firm Neo Security after his release from prison, according to Krebs. ShinyHunters has told Reuters it has no association with van der Stap. Dutch police additionally say the suspect is being investigated for attempted incitement to commit two murders.
FBI officials have highlighted the arrest publicly. Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, described the detainee as one of ShinyHunters’ alleged leaders and urged any remaining members to surrender while they still can. FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that FBI teams are actively working with partners to develop more leads based on the arrest.
Authorities did not release further investigative details in the Dutch press release, and both Dutch police and the FBI have withheld the suspect’s name in their statements. Media reports identifying the suspect and tying him to prior convictions provide additional context to the case as investigations continue.
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