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ShinyHunters suspect also investigated for alleged murder orders, Dutch media report - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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ShinyHunters suspect also investigated for alleged murder orders, Dutch media report

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 29, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: September 29, 2026

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ShinyHunters Suspect Faces Additional Murder Allegations, Dutch Media Report

Arrest and Investigation Details

(Corrects time of arrest in paragraph 1 from 'earlier this week' to 'earlier this month')

Suspect's Arrest and Initial Allegations

AMSTERDAM, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A 24-year-old man arrested earlier this month as part of an investigation into the hacking group ShinyHunters is also being investigated over allegations that he ordered two murders abroad, Dutch media reported on Tuesday.

Police did not immediately confirm the reports.

Evidence and Murder Plot Allegations

Information about the alleged murder plots was reportedly found on the suspect's laptop, Dutch news agency ANP reported. It was not clear whether the murders he allegedly ordered actually took place. The allegations are separate from the investigation into ShinyHunters.

Suspect's Identity and Employer Statement

Although Dutch authorities have not publicly identified the man, his former employer, Amsterdam-based cybersecurity company Neo Security, said his name is Pepijn van der Stap.

Attempts by Reuters to reach Van der Stap or identify a lawyer or representative have not been successful.

Background on ShinyHunters and Related Data Breaches

He was arrested in a dramatic police raid amid escalating concern over ShinyHunters, a hacking group known ​for large-scale data breaches and extortion, and its recent theft of what it said was terabytes of sensitive personnel data from US FBI servers.

Scope of Data Breach

At least some of the data includes employees' intelligence assignments and medical records, Reuters has reported. 

ShinyHunters' Statement on Suspect

ShinyHunters has said Van der Stap had "no association" with the group.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Anthony Deutsch, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

Key Takeaways

  • Pepijn van der Stap, a cybersecurity lead at Neo Security, was arrested around mid‑September in connection to ShinyHunters investigations and is separately facing allegations of ordering two overseas murders found in laptop data (nltimes.nl).
  • He was previously convicted in November 2023 for large‑scale hacking, data theft and extortion, serving a prison sentence with probation afterward; his case drew widespread attention due to his dual role as a reformed security professional and black‑hat actor (nltimes.nl).
  • ShinyHunters, the hacking group under investigation, is linked to several major breaches in 2026 — including alleged theft of terabytes of sensitive FBI personnel data — though Van der Stap’s involvement with the group remains publicly denied by ShinyHunters (axios.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the suspect involved in the ShinyHunters investigation?
The suspect is a 24-year-old man identified by his former employer as Pepijn van der Stap, but Dutch authorities have not publicly named him.
What additional allegations are being investigated against the ShinyHunters suspect?
In addition to the hacking case, the suspect is being investigated for allegedly ordering two murders abroad.
Were the alleged murder orders connected to the ShinyHunters investigation?
No, the murder allegations are separate from the investigation into the ShinyHunters hacking group.
What information was reportedly found on the suspect's laptop?
Dutch news agency ANP reported that information regarding the alleged murder plots was found on the suspect's laptop.
Has the ShinyHunters group commented on the suspect's involvement?
ShinyHunters has stated that Van der Stap had 'no association' with their group.

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