Liechtenstein says hackers access information on 31,000 legal entities

ZURICH, Aug 3 (Reuters) - 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. 

No banks or customer data have been affected, director of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, Simon Tribelhorn, told Reuters.

"It is an unfortunate incident and should not be taken lightly," Tribelhorn said. 

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.

(Reporting by Dave Graham, additional reporting by Marleen Kaesebier, Editing by Miranda Murray)