Amsterdam Man (24) Arrested as Suspected Leader of ShinyHunters Hacking Group

Arrest Shortly Before FBI Hack Claim

Dutch police arrested a 24-year-old man from Amsterdam on 15 September 2026 on suspicion of involvement with ShinyHunters, the hacking group that previously claimed responsibility for large-scale data theft at companies including Ticketmaster and Rockstar Games. The arrest took place a few days before ShinyHunters claimed to have hacked the FBI's website and obtained employee data, news agency Reuters reports.

The suspect's name has not been officially confirmed by Dutch authorities or the FBI. However, security journalist Brian Krebs (Krebs on Security) and Reuters report that the man is Pepijn van der Stap. Van der Stap was already convicted of data theft and extortion in 2023. After his release from detention last year, he reportedly went to work for Dutch cybersecurity firm Neo Security, according to Krebs.

Additional Suspicion: Attempted Incitement to Murder

According to Dutch police, the suspect is not only linked to ShinyHunters' hacking activities but is also suspected of attempting to incite two murders. No further details have been disclosed about the precise nature and background of these suspicions.

ShinyHunters Denies Connection

ShinyHunters has denied to Reuters that the arrested man has any ties to the group, stating there is "no association." This leaves the exact role the suspect allegedly played within the group unclear and disputed.

FBI Responds With a Warning

Brett Leatherman, Assistant Director of the FBI Cyber Division, described the suspect as one of the alleged leaders of ShinyHunters. In a video published on Tuesday, he addressed other alleged members of the group directly: "The longer you stay in this, the more we learn about you. You know how to find us, and we know how to find you," Leatherman said. He added: "I suggest you reach out first while the choice is still yours."

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that FBI teams are actively working with partners to gather and follow up on further leads in the ongoing investigation following the arrest.

History of a Notorious Hacking Group

ShinyHunters has long been on the radar of law enforcement agencies due to a series of high-profile attacks. The group previously claimed break-ins at Ticketmaster and Rockstar Games, and recently said it had also hacked the FBI itself. This latest claim followed shortly after the arrest in Amsterdam, raising questions about the timing and the actual impact of the arrest on the group's operational capacity.

Next Steps Uncertain

The investigation is ongoing, and many details — including the suspect's official identity, the precise circumstances of the alleged murder attempts, and his exact role within ShinyHunters — have not been confirmed by Dutch or American authorities. It is unclear whether and when further information about the case will be made public.