Liechtenstein has been hit by a major cyberattack after unidentified hackers gained unauthorized access to the country’s beneficial ownership register, copying sensitive data linked to approximately 31,000 companies, foundations and trusts.
The government said the breach occurred during the night of July 29–30, when attackers infiltrated the registry’s information system and copied data before authorities detected suspicious activity and took the platform offline.
According to the preliminary investigation, cybercriminals obtained copies of records relating to around 31,000 legal entities registered in the beneficial ownership database.
The register, established in 2021 as part of the country’s anti-money laundering framework, contains information on the individuals who ultimately own or control companies, trusts and other legal entities operating in Liechtenstein.
The incident has raised concerns because the Alpine principality, one of the world’s wealthiest financial centers, hosts thousands of international companies, trusts and foundations that benefit from its favorable tax and financial environment.
Authorities stressed that there is currently no indication the attackers altered or deleted any information, and the breach appears to have involved the unauthorized copying of data.
Liechtenstein’s banking sector was not affected. Simon Triebelhorn, head of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, said there was no evidence that banks or customer data had been compromised.
“This is an unfortunate incident that should not be underestimated,” Triebelhorn said.
In response, the government has established a dedicated crisis management team led by Prime Minister Brigitte Haas and Justice Minister Emmanuel Sendler to coordinate the investigation and response.
Officials are also notifying individuals and legal entities that may have been affected by the data breach, while authorities continue investigating the identity of the perpetrators and the full scope of the cyberattack.
The incident underscores the growing cybersecurity risks facing financial centers and government institutions as cybercriminals increasingly target databases containing sensitive corporate and ownership information.
