Cyber Incident Victim: Belastingdienst
Date:
Jul 2025
Location:
Curaçao
Summary
The Curaçao tax authority reported a possible ransomware infection that compromised its automated system, leading to a temporary shutdown of operations. The finance minister requested direct assistance from the Netherlands despite the existence of a local cybersecurity working group headed by Dwigno Puriel, which oversees the island’s digital resilience. Ransomware typically encrypts or locks files and demands payment for their release.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On July 26 2025, the Minister of Finance Javier
Silvania
via
via
2025-07-26
On July 26 205
2020
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We need to produce narrative paragraphs. Let's produce final.
On July 26 10 sentences? Actually we need at least 10? Actually we need at least 10 sentences.
We need at least 10 sentences.
We need at least 10? Actually need at least 2 paragraphs with 10+ sentences total sentences total". So we need at least 10+ sentences.
We'll produce 3 paragraphs each with 4 sentences =12.
Paragraph1: timeline.
Paragraph2: response.
Paragraph3: description.
Let's craft.
Paragraph1: On July 26 2025, the Minister of Finance of Curaçao, Javier Silvania, announced via social media that the Curaçao Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) might have fallen victim to a ransomware cyberattack. He stated that the authority's automated system had been infected, which resulted in the office remaining closed on Thursday afternoon and throughout Friday. The announcement highlighted the disruption to normal operations caused by the suspected infection. No further technical details about the infection vector or the specific ransomware variant were provided in the statement.
Paragraph2: In response to the incident, the minister requested direct assistance from the Netherlands, noting that Curaçao already maintains its own ministerial cybersecurity working group. This working group is led by Dwigno Puriel, who serves as the quartermaster for Cyber Security and is responsible for the island's digital resilience. Puriel coordinates strategies and measures aimed at improving cybersecurity, including the identification of vulnerabilities and the development of security protocols. The minister's request for external support was made despite the existence of this internal group.
Paragraph3: Ransomware, also referred to as gijzelsoftware or chantagesoftware, is a type of malicious software that encrypts or blocks files on a computer system. Access to the data is typically restored only after a ransom payment is made to the attackers. The minister's announcement did not confirm whether a ransom demand had been made or whether any payment was considered. The statement served to inform the public of the possible attack and the consequent temporary closure of the tax office.
Check sentences: Paragraph1: 4 sentences. Paragraph2: 4 sentences. Paragraph3: 4 sentences. Total 12 sentences. No headings, lists, no extra text. No speculation beyond what article says: we said "No further technical details..." that's speculation? Actually article didn't provide further details, saying that is factual: no further details provided. That's okay. We said "The minister's announcement did not confirm whether a ransom demand had been made or whether any payment was considered." That's factual: article didn't mention demand. So it's not confirming. It's okay.
We must not include any advice. Good.
We must not include any extra text. Provide only paragraphs.
On July 202020202020202020202025, the Minister of Finance of Curaçao, Javier Silvania, announced via social media that the Curaçao Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) might have fallen victim to a ransomware cyberattack. He stated that the authority's automated system had been infected, which resulted in the office remaining closed on Thursday afternoon and throughout Friday. The announcement highlighted the disruption to normal operations caused by the suspected infection. No further technical details about the infection vector or the specific ransomware variant were provided in the statement.
In response to the incident, the minister requested direct assistance from the Netherlands, noting that Curaçao already maintains its own ministerial cybersecurity working group. This working group is led by Dwigno Puriel, who serves as the quartermaster for Cyber Security and is responsible for the island's digital resilience. Puriel coordinates strategies and measures aimed at improving cybersecurity, including the identification of vulnerabilities and the development of security protocols. The minister's request for external support was made despite the existence of this internal group.
Ransomware, also referred to as gijzelsoftware or chantagesoftware, is a type of malicious software that encrypts or blocks files on a computer system. Access to the data is typically restored only after a ransom payment is made to the attackers. The minister's announcement did not confirm whether a ransom demand had been made or whether any payment was considered. The statement served to inform the public of the possible attack and the consequent temporary closure of the tax office.