Rochester authorities have arrested two teenagers, 16 and 17 years old. They are connected to a large scale cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL) that occurred in August of 2024. Thalha Jubair, 19, also known by alt-EarthtoStar, Brad, Austin, and @autistic on various platforms, is from East London. Owen Flowers, 18, from Walsall in the West Midlands. Both suspects were arrested at their residences Tuesday.
The charges against Jubair are long and draconian. He’s charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud in addition to two counts of computer fraud. Jubair faces additional conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. He himself has been charged with one count of money laundering conspiracy. In addition, he is charged under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 for failure to hand over PINs and passwords to devices confiscated by police on 19 March 2025.
Background of the Investigation
The ongoing investigation into the TfL cyber attack has generated considerable attention. Its huge upheaval is what’s got every eye on it. Victims disclosed losses that accounted for more than $115 million in ransom payments made to cybercriminals. This highlights the large financial event the attack presented on the United Kingdom’s critical infrastructure. In a personal note, Deputy Director Paul Foster reflected on the seriousness of the accident.
“This attack caused significant disruption and millions in losses to TfL, part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure,” – Deputy Director Paul Foster
Prior to his recent arrest, Flowers was looking at possible jail time starting in September 2024. Last year, he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit the TfL cyber attack but later released on bail. In unraveling their increasingly implausible lies, the authorities have been methodically putting together the evidence against both individuals, bottoming out with a complete case.
Legal Consequences for Jubair
If convicted, Thalha Jubair would face a maximum penalty of 95 years in prison. The multiple charges leveled against him show the gravity of what he allegedly did. Alina Habba, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney for the District of New Jersey, emphasized Jubair’s attempts to evade detection while committing these crimes.
“Jubair went to great and sophisticated lengths to keep himself anonymous while he and his criminal associates continued to attack these victims and extort tens of millions of dollars in ransom payments,” – Alina Habba
The ongoing legal process will determine Jubair’s degree of culpability. Most importantly, they’ll inform us if Flowers has any further connections to the investigations remaining under progress.
The Impact of Cyber Crime
Yet the very real cyber attack on Transport for London demonstrates the severe risks that we are blissfully ignoring across our essential national infrastructure. It spotlights the growing threat posed by cyber criminals. Federal officials are still watching for other such threats and are working to implement additional cybersecurity protections at the federal level and in other industries.
As investigations proceed, law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to combat cyber crime and protect essential services from future attacks. The case against Jubair and Flowers is an exciting new phase in the continuing fight against a constantly evolving digital menace.