Teen Linked to Las Vegas Casino Cyberattacks Turns Himself In

Las Vegas police say a teenager suspected of taking part in the 2023 casino cyberattacks has surrendered to authorities. His name has not been released because of his age, though prosecutors want him tried as an adult.

Good to know

• The teen faces charges tied to the hacking group known as Scattered Spider.
• MGM and Caesars were among the casino giants hit in the 2023 attacks.
• MGM has since agreed to a $45 million settlement for affected customers.

Charges Against the Teen

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, the teenager faces multiple felony counts: three related to the use of stolen personal information, one for extortion, one for conspiracy to commit extortion, and another for unlawful computer activity.

Investigators have linked the case to Scattered Spider, a hacking crew that has also gone by Octo Tempes, UNC3944, and 0ktapus. The group is believed to have orchestrated a string of casino attacks between August and October 2023.

Wider Investigation

The FBI’s Las Vegas Cyber Task Force has been leading the probe. Federal prosecutors already indicted four men aged 20 to 23 in November 2024 for activity tied to the same campaign.

Another hacker, known online as AlphV, previously claimed responsibility for the MGM breach but acknowledged Scattered Spider’s involvement. If prosecutors succeed in moving the teen’s case to adult court, he could face heavy prison time if convicted.

Big Damages

The cyberattacks created major financial and operational headaches for casino operators. For MGM, the breach led to a $45 million settlement covering two separate incidents—one in July 2019 and another in September 2023.

Personal information compromised included names, addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts. For some victims, even more sensitive data such as driver’s license details, Social Security numbers, and military IDs was exposed.

Under the settlement, people affected can submit claims for reimbursement. Those with documented financial losses tied to the breaches may receive up to $15,000, while others can apply for flat cash payments depending on the level of exposure.

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