Pepijn van der S., a 24-year-old from Amsterdam, has been arrested on suspicion of participating in the hacking group ShinyHunters, known for a large-scale data breach affecting millions in the Netherlands through telecom provider Odido in February. In addition to the hacking charges, police now suspect Van der S. of attempting to incite two murders abroad. He was initially arrested in 2023 and sentenced to four years in prison for blackmail, data theft, and money laundering of cryptocurrency. His lawyer, Tony Boersma, reveals a difficult childhood marked by frequent moves and involvement with youth care, leading Van der S. to begin hacking at a young age as a coping mechanism. Boersma attributes a surge in activity to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating Van der S. initially failed to recognize the human impact of his actions. Van der S. suffers from mental health issues, including PTSD and depression, and is receiving treatment at a specialized psychiatric center within the prison system; he confessed to his crimes and has since earned diplomas while incarcerated.