Ukrainian police have arrested five members of the international cybercrime group called ‘Phoenix’ specializing in the remote hacking of mobile devices and stealing users’ personal data.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), all five suspects live in Kyiv or Kharkiv and have higher technical education degrees.

In order to gain access to accounts of mobile device users, the hackers set up phishing websites disguised as legitimate sites belonging to Apple, Samsung and other mobile phone brands. Upon obtaining access to the victim’s account the hackers copied all information stored on the device. The gang would use stolen data to steal funds from victims’ e-payment or bank accounts or sell users’ private information to third parties.

The hackers offered remote access to compromised accounts to others, charging $200. Another service the group provided was unblocking stolen or lost devices made by Apple.

The activity went for over two years during which the hackers compromised more than several hundred accounts.

During the searchers the police have seized computer equipment, mobile phones, specialized software and hardware.