Japanese boy arrested for creating a Ransomware

A 14-year-old in Osaka has become the first person in Japan caught for allegedly creating a Ransomware. The high school student, who was arrested the same day, is suspected of merging free encryption programs to build Ransomware, which makes computer files encrypted unless the victim paid a ransom.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software from cryptovirology that blocks access to the victim’s data or threatens to publish or delete it until a ransom is paid.

The student uploaded the Ransomware to a foreign website and informed users of the platform to download and use it, according to sources quoted by the Kyodo news agency.


The young boy, who supposedly learned by himself how to create this type of programme, revealed to the investigating authorities that he only wanted to become famous, according to state television channel NHK.

Japanese police said:
This ransomware has been downloaded over hundred times, allowed the users to infect the victim’s machines and demanded a ransom to be paid over Bitcoin.

The police have not announced the identity of the teenager (Ransomware maker), but have told that the high school student just needed about 3 days to develop the ransomware program using his personal computer.