Hackers Claim to Steal FBI Data, Mock Director Kash Patel and Trump

A hacking group identifying as ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for a significant data breach affecting the FBI, stating they have obtained personal information on every employee and job applicant. The group also defaced the FBI's jobs website, replacing its content with a mocking message that included a sign-off characteristic of former President Donald Trump.

The FBI acknowledged the incident, stating in a release to the Daily Mail that it is "aware of claims regarding unauthorized activity affecting FBIjobs.gov and is currently investigating." A sample of 5,000 records provided by the hackers reportedly includes names, home addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth, with some entries containing details about spouses. Initial checks by 404 Media, which first reported the hack, indicated that some leaked phone numbers corresponded to individuals with matching names in public databases and were linked to Justice Department personnel.

ShinyHunters asserted that the stolen data also includes personal and health information. The group claimed to have exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Oracle's PeopleSoft software before accessing between two and three terabytes of files from Amazon's AWS GovCloud servers, a service designed for sensitive U.S. government data. Oracle and Amazon have been contacted for comment.

A representative for ShinyHunters told 404 Media that their actions were "not financially motivated" but hinted at possible "coercion," a departure from the group's typical modus operandi of demanding payment for stolen data. The hacking gang is known for stealing data and then threatening to release it unless a ransom is paid.

The breach adds to recent controversies surrounding FBI Director Kash Patel. In the past week, Patel faced a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where he was accused by Democratic senators of lowering hiring standards. Patel defended these changes as necessary to allow victims of certain crimes to apply for FBI positions without automatic disqualification.

Earlier this year, Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over an article that alleged mismanagement and excessive drinking within the agency, claims he denies. He has also faced scrutiny over his use of the FBI's jet, including a trip to see his girlfriend, singer Alexis Wilkins, perform at a wrestling event.

ShinyHunters typically operates within the same online criminal circles that have previously used stolen phone records to harass FBI agents involved in their investigations. The FBI's jobs website was taken offline following the incident.