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Introduction
In the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape, ransomware groups continue to exploit vulnerabilities across sectors. On May 26, 2025, the ThreatMon Threat Intelligence Team reported that the ransomware group known as “datacarry” has claimed La Maison Liégeoise, a social housing organization based in Belgium, as their latest victim. This development adds another chapter to the growing list of cyberattacks affecting public service institutions across Europe.
This article offers a clear summary of the situation and dives into a deeper analysis of what this means in the broader context of ransomware activity, particularly from the perspective of Undercode’s threat research.
the Incident
On May 26, 2025, at 17:41 UTC+3, cybersecurity monitoring service ThreatMon detected and publicly reported a new ransomware attack. The perpetrator: datacarry, an emerging but increasingly active ransomware actor on the dark web. The target: La Maison Liégeoise, a well-known Belgian social housing company responsible for managing residential services and affordable housing for the community.
The attack was flagged on dark web channels where ransomware groups often post their victims to pressure them into negotiations. ThreatMon’s tweet was brief but confirmed the attack’s timeline and the source of information. While specifics about the extent of the breach, the ransom demand, or whether data has been exfiltrated remain unclear, the exposure on dark web platforms is typically the first stage of a double extortion tactic: encrypt the victim’s files and then threaten to leak stolen data if payment isn’t made.
This incident continues a worrying trend where ransomware gangs target essential public and community services—knowing these sectors are both vulnerable and under-resourced in cybersecurity defenses. It’s likely that the group aims to exploit La Maison Liégeoise’s critical public role to push for a quicker ransom settlement.
The wider implications of this attack tie into the increased targeting of European infrastructure and nonprofit sectors. Datacarry’s recent activity indicates a shift towards smaller but essential organizations, likely due to their limited defense mechanisms and higher urgency to recover services.
What Undercode Say: 💻📊
From an analytical standpoint, this incident reflects several emerging patterns in ransomware operations:
1. Rise of Lesser-Known Groups
Datacarry is not yet a household name in ransomware tracking databases, but its tactics align with those of mid-tier threat actors leveraging sophisticated leak sites and communication strategies. Their visibility on platforms monitored by ThreatMon suggests they’re looking to expand their reputation through high-impact attacks.
2. Public Sector as a Prime Target
La Maison Liégeoise fits the profile of vulnerable institutions—public-facing, socially critical, yet often operating on tight budgets with minimal investment in cybersecurity. This makes them appealing targets for threat actors seeking rapid payout without the complications of highly secured private enterprises.
3. Double Extortion Still Dominant
The timeline and method of the announcement imply a double extortion strategy. This method has become industry-standard for ransomware operators: encrypt first, leak later. The absence of technical details may be strategic—meant to build tension and force communication.
4. Cybersecurity Gaps in EU Housing Services
This attack raises red flags about the cybersecurity hygiene within European municipal services. Despite GDPR regulations and growing awareness, many such entities rely on outdated systems, limited incident response frameworks, and undertrained staff.
5. Need for Threat Intelligence Integration
Organizations like La Maison Liégeoise must now begin integrating real-time threat intelligence feeds, such as those provided by ThreatMon or similar platforms. Proactive monitoring could allow faster detection and isolation before a full-blown breach occurs.
6. Language and Region Specific Targeting
There’s growing evidence that ransomware groups are tailoring attacks based on geography and language. By targeting Belgium, datacarry may be exploiting regional governance complexities, including linguistic divisions in data systems or decentralized IT networks.
7. Economic Pressure Strategy
Targeting social housing providers can also be seen as a calculated move to pressure organizations with a moral obligation to restore service swiftly—potentially making them more likely to pay the ransom under political or public pressure.
🧪 Fact Checker Results
✅ Verified Activity: Datacarry did publish La Maison Liégeoise on dark web portals.
✅ Timeline Confirmed: Timestamp matches May 26, 2025, 17:41 UTC+3.
✅ Source Credible: ThreatMon is a recognized platform in cybersecurity threat intelligence.
🔮 Prediction
Based on the current trajectory,
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