Spanish police have broken up a gang of cybercriminals whose “ransomware” virus demanded money from thousands of users in 30 countries by pretending to be a message from the police.

The 11-strong gang laundered more than a million euros per year since mid-2011, sending money back to Russia. The leader, a 27-year-old Russian, was arrested while on holiday in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in December on an international arrest warrant. Spain is seeking his extradition. On Wednesday the rest of the group – six Russians, two Ukrainians and two Georgians – were rounded up by Spanish police in the Costa del Sol.

Read more at: guardian.co.uk