Liechtenstein says hackers access information on 31,000 legal entities

Hackers have illegally accessed and copied data from Liechtenstein’s register of ​beneficial owners, compromising information relating to ‌about 31,000 companies, foundations and trusts, the principality’s government said late on Sunday.

The government ​said that unknown perpetrators had gained ​unauthorized access to the register during ⁠the night of July 29-30 and ​copied data before authorities detected irregularities and ​took the affected system offline.

Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest and richest countries, is home to thousands ​of low-tax trusts.

A preliminary investigation found ​the attackers had obtained copies of data on ‌around ⁠31,000 legal entities from the register of beneficial owners, which was created through a 2021 act as part of anti-money ​laundering measures.

The ​government ⁠said in a statement there was currently no indication the ​hacked data had been altered or ​deleted.

Liechtenstein’s ⁠government set up a crisis task force led by Prime Minister Brigitte Haas ⁠and ​Justice Minister Emanuel Schaedler, ​and said it is working to notify affected individuals.

Source:  Reuters