Key to Scattered Spider’s success were phishing attacks so methodical and well-orchestrated they were hard to detect even when sophisticated defenses were implemented. Microsoft researchers, who track the group under the name Octo Tempest, declared it “one of the most dangerous financial criminal groups.”

The scheme was deemed one of the most "sophisticated" phishing scams of all time. But now, the five alleged cybercriminals thought to be behind the group that security researchers have called "Scattered Spider" have officially been criminally charged.

After evading capture for more than two years following a hacking spree that targeted some of the world's biggest tech companies, U.S. authorities say they have finally caught at least some of the hackers responsible.