Trois personnes arrêtées par la police de Laval pour vol de données massif chez Desjardins.: Data-Desjardins-arrest-Laval-police

1. Desjardins big data
2. Laval police arrests
3. Data analysis at Desjardins

La police de Laval a arrêté trois individus liés à des fraudes de 8,9 millions de dollars grâce aux données volées à Desjardins entre septembre 2018 et janvier 2019. Un quatrième individu est recherché avec un mandat d’arrestation en cours. Les suspects ont utilisé la plateforme en ligne Accès D de Desjardins pour détourner des fonds et les disperser au Canada, aux États-Unis et dans le monde. Aucune somme détournée n’a été récupérée. Les comparutions des suspects auront lieu aujourd’hui. L’enquête initiale a été menée par la Sûreté du Québec à partir de juin 2019, mais la police de Laval s’est concentrée sur un réseau de fraudeurs utilisant les données volées.

Related Story.

The police in Laval have made a significant breakthrough in a case involving massive data theft at Desjardins. Three individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in fraud amounting to 8.9 million dollars using stolen Desjardins data between September 2018 and January 2019. A fourth individual is currently being sought, with an arrest warrant issued against them.

According to Jean-François Rousselle, deputy director of criminal investigations, the suspects utilized Desjardins’ online platform, Accès D, to unlawfully acquire funds using the stolen data. These ill-gotten gains were then reportedly dispersed across Canada, the United States, and internationally. Unfortunately, the investigation has not yet led to the recovery of the diverted funds.

In a startling revelation, the Laval police disclosed that one of the suspects was in possession of a list containing the personal information of 1.6 million Quebec residents. This raises concerns about the extent of potential identity theft and financial fraud that could have been perpetrated using this data.

The suspects are expected to appear in court today to face the charges brought against them. The primary investigation into the Desjardins data breach was initially conducted by the Sûreté du Québec starting in June 2019. However, the case was first flagged by the Laval police following fraudulent bank transactions using stolen Desjardins information back in December 2018.

While the bulk of the inquiry was led by the Sûreté du Québec, the Laval investigators retained jurisdiction over aspects related to a network of fraudsters exploiting the pilfered data. This collaboration underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating cybercrime and financial fraud.

The timing of these arrests comes nearly five years after the initial disclosure of the massive data breach at Desjardins. Initially reported in June 2019, the breach affected 2.9 million customers, a number later revised multiple times. Subsequent investigations suggested that as many as 9.7 million individuals and businesses could have been impacted by the breach.

Notably, no criminal charges had been filed in connection with the breach until now. Allegations point to a former Desjardins employee, Sébastien Boulanger-Dorval, who is suspected of accessing data on millions of Desjardins clients. This information allegedly passed through the hands of a private lender, Jean-Loup Leullier-Masse, who then facilitated its dissemination.

As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the extent of the fraud and the individuals involved. The apprehension of these suspects marks a significant step towards holding accountable those responsible for exploiting sensitive personal information for financial gain.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities continue to unravel the complexities of the Desjardins data breach and its far-reaching implications for privacy and security.