Magic Cat (Part 2)
mnemonic security podcast
06/02/25
•44m
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Magic Cat (part 2) with investigative journalist Martin Gundersen
This is the second part of our series about our investigation into Darcula, a phishing-as-a-service operation targeting victims globally, and the phishing kit platform Magic Cat. Over a period of 1,5 years, mnemonic researchers and an international investigative reporting team from the Norwegian media agency NRK, together with French Le Monde and German BR, looked into the technology, operations and individuals connected to this scam network.
The findings offer a rare look behind the scenes of this global phishing-as-a-service operation utilising Magic Cat. The research unveils hundreds of thousands of victims spanning the globe, unique technical insight into the software enabling hundreds of criminal subscribers, and a glimpse into the flashy lifestyle of the operators.
In this episode, Robby talks with Martin Gundersen from NRK about how they worked on this investigation, and what happened when they traveled to Thailand to confront the people behind the scam network.
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this series yet, check out episode 137 to hear Robby’s interview with mnemonic's security researchers Erlend Leiknes and Harrison Sand about the findings from their technical investigation into Magic Cat.
- mnemonic's technical blog about Magic Cat: https://www.mnemonic.io/resources/blog/exposing-darcula-a-rare-look-behind-the-scenes-of-a-global-phishing-as-a-service-operation/
- Inside the Scam Network at NRK: https://www.nrk.no/dokumentar/xl/inside-the-scam-network-1.17399135
- The Hunt for Darcula at NRK: https://www.nrk.no/dokumentar/xl/the-hunt-for-darcula-1.17399157
Previous Episode
Negotiation
May 19, 2025
•33m
We are all negotiating, in one way or another, every single day.
In this episode, we’re joined by someone that has not only mastered the skill of negotiation, she’s traveling worldwide doing negotiating training, particularity for technology companies; Tine Anneberg, Founder & CEO of CREOSUM Create Impact – part of the SMARTnership Negotiation Organization.
Tine and Robby talk about the benefits of taking a collaborative approach to negotiations, the value of trust, and why curiosity is the most important thing to bring with you in a negotiation.
Tine also shares what she’s observed to be the biggest pitfalls, how technology and AI is changing her industry, and how she is using her negotiation background to view the current geopolitical climate.
Next Episode
Magic Cat (Part 1)
June 2, 2025
•61m
Magic Cat (part 1) with security researchers Erlend Leiknes and Harrison Sand
Darcula is a phishing-as-a-service operation targeting victims globally. Over the past 1.5 years, mnemonic researchers and an international investigative reporting team have been looking into the technology, operations and individuals connected to this crime group.
In this episode, Robby speaks with mnemonic's Erlend Leiknes and Harrison Sand about the findings from their technical investigation, offering a rare look behind the scenes of this global phishing-as-a-service operation utilising the phishing kit Magic Cat.
The research unveils hundreds of thousands of victims spanning the globe, unique technical insight into the software enabling hundreds of criminal subscribers, and a glimpse into the flashy lifestyle of the operators.
This podcast was recorded in April, but on May 4th, Norwegian media agency NRK, together with French Le Monde and German BR released the first of their multi-part global investigation into the prominent people behind the phishing operation. The investigation brings them to Thailand, where they attempt to confront Darcula, and learn more about the inner workings of the scam central.
Listen to Part 2 to hear how this story progresses as Robby interviews investigative journalist Martin Gundersen from NRK.
mnemonic's technical blog about Magic Cat: https://www.mnemonic.io/resources/blog/exposing-darcula-a-rare-look-behind-the-scenes-of-a-global-phishing-as-a-service-operation/
Inside the Scam Network at NRK: https://www.nrk.no/dokumentar/xl/inside-the-scam-network-1.17399135
The Hunt for Darcula at NRK: https://www.nrk.no/dokumentar/xl/the-hunt-for-darcula-1.17399157
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