ShinyHunters hacker detained in Jordan and cooperating with FBI, sources say
An alleged key ShinyHunters member known as 'Rey' has been detained in Jordan and is cooperating with investigators following an FBI data theft, according to sources cited by Reuters.
An alleged key member of the ShinyHunters cyber syndicate, Saif al-Din Khader, known online as 'Rey,' has been detained in Jordan, according to Reuters. Sources said Khader is actively cooperating with the FBI by guiding investigators through his devices and messages to help identify and locate other members involved in the bureau's breach.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The detention follows claims by the hacker that ShinyHunters compromised data on every FBI employee. A review of sampled files revealed that the stolen records included medical and psychiatric files belonging to bureau staff. Following Khader's detention on Tuesday and an earlier arrest of another alleged member in the Netherlands, the group's dark web portal went offline on Wednesday alongside a final message stating it sought no further escalation.[2][7]
Authorities continue to pursue the network, with Kash Patel stating that FBI teams are actively working new leads and that more arrests remain on the table. Although the suspect told a reporter last year that he had stepped away from cyber intrusions, group attacks continued into 2026.[2][7]
Key facts
- Saif al-Din Khader, an alleged ShinyHunters hacker known as 'Rey,' was detained in Jordan.
- Khader is cooperating with investigators by going through his devices and messages to help locate other ShinyHunters members.
- The hacker claimed ShinyHunters stole data on every FBI employee, with samples showing medical and psychiatric records of bureau personnel.
- Another alleged ShinyHunters member was previously apprehended in the Netherlands.
- Kash Patel stated that FBI teams are pursuing leads and more arrests are on the table.
- The syndicate's dark web site went down on Wednesday after a message indicated the group wanted no further escalation.
Sources · 5 sources
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Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·
Sources: ShinyHunters member Saif al-Din Khader, aka "Rey," was detained in Jordan and is cooperating to identify other hackers involved in the FBI breach (Reuters) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🇯🇴🇺🇸 A hacker who says his group stole data on every FBI employee is in Jordanian custody, and he is talking The guy was detained on Tuesday and is reportedly going through his devices with investigators to find the rest of ShinyHunters. A sample of the files had medical and psychiatric records on FBI staff. Another alleged member was already picked up in the Netherlands, and Kash Patel said more arrests are on the table. Their dark web site went down Wednesday. The last email said they want no further escalation, and that it could be read as the group backing down completely. He told a reporter last year he had already quit. The hacks kept going into 2026. Source: Reuters / Writer: Lucas
Open source - PO
Polymarket@PolymarketPost on X ·
BREAKING: ShinyHunters hacker “Rey” has reportedly been detained in Jordan & is walking investigators through his devices & messages to help the FBI locate his fellow hackers.
Open source - RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
EXCLUSIVE: Key ShinyHunters hacker detained in Jordan, is cooperating, sources say https://t.co/VOK1i11ZxA https://t.co/VOK1i11ZxA
Open source - RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
EXCLUSIVE: ShinyHunters hacker in FBI data theft detained in Jordan, cooperating with bureau, sources say https://t.co/KURBrYjW28 https://t.co/KURBrYjW28
Open source - *B
*Walter Bloomberg@DeItaonePost on X ·
KEY MEMBER OF SHINYHUNTERS HACKING SQUAD THAT BROKE INTO THE FBI HAS BEEN DETAINED IN JORDAN, SOURCES SAY
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🇺🇸🇯🇴 The hackers who say they stole data on every FBI employee are cracking: one alleged member was arrested in Jordan and is now helping the FBI hunt the rest Saif al-Din Khader, allegedly known as "Rey," was detained Tuesday, days after another alleged member was picked up in the Netherlands, and Reuters found the stolen files include FBI employees' medical and psychiatric records. The group has gone from threatening the bureau to saying it wants no further escalation, and Director Kash Patel sounds confident: "FBI teams are working new leads RIGHT NOW. More arrests are on the table." Arrests won't pull the data back, and files showing which agents have health or psychiatric histories are exactly what a foreign spy service would pay for, so the real test is whether the FBI tracks down every copy before someone sells it. Source: Reuters / Writer: Daniel
Open source