Four Youths Arrested for Hacking British Retail Chains

Major Cyberattack on UK Retailers

British authorities have arrested four young individuals suspected of orchestrating cyberattacks against prominent retail chains including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The suspects—one female and three males aged 17-20—face charges of blackmail and involvement in organized crime.

Operation Details

Police executed raids at the suspects' residences in London and the Midlands, seizing computers and mobile devices. A specialized cybercrime unit is conducting interrogations following the arrests.

Ransomware Impact

The attacks began in April 2025 using ransomware that crippled operations at:

• Marks & Spencer: Suffered most severely with online clothing sales halted for nearly seven weeks, costing £300 million (€348 million). Full system recovery isn't expected until October/November.
• Co-op: Experienced customer data theft, payment system disruptions, and inability to restock shelves.
• Harrods: Temporarily restricted online services in May due to order processing failures.

Ransomware Threat Landscape

These attacks highlight the growing sophistication of ransomware operations targeting critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts note such attacks increased 120% globally in 2024-2025, with retail being particularly vulnerable due to complex supply chains.