Europol and eight other agencies launched the bust aimed at a network that targeted people trying to regain access to lost or stolen phones.

The sting also intercepted $27 million in illicit funds.

Police in Spain might averted big losses with some Mekotio-related arrests earlier this year, but the malware is back.

McAfee, 75, was the creator of antivirus software and accused of multiple high profile crimes.

Security experts at the Spanish government’s National Cryptologic Center were responding to the incident.

The hacking group has targeted upwards of 71,000 with their scam.

The hackers are part of a group known as Vendetta that has only surfaced in the last two months.

The malicious movie files in question don't appear to be on esecially popular sites like the Pirate Bay, one researcher said.

Researchers did not disclose which banks have been affected.

It's a reminder of the cruel opportunism with which many cybercriminals approach the crisis.