Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have accused a Russian national with leading a group of cyber criminals that developed and deployed malware infecting thousands of computers worldwide, installing ransomware and extorting payment from victims, officials announced Thursday.
Rustam Gallyamov, 48, of Moscow, Russia, is charged in L.A. federal court with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
Gallyamov is believed to be in Russia and is not in custody, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In connection with the criminal charges, the DOJ said it has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against more than $24 million in cryptocurrency seized from Gallyamov over the course of the investigation.
“The criminal charges and forfeiture case announced today are part of an ongoing effort with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable cybercriminals,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California said in a statement. “The forfeiture action against more than $24 million in virtual assets also demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to seizing ill-gotten assets from criminals in order to ultimately compensate victims.”
According to the indictment, Gallyamov developed and controlled the Qakbot malware beginning in 2008. From 2019 onward, Gallyamov allegedly used the Qakbot botnet to infect thousands of computers around the world to establish a network or “botnet” of infected computers.
Federal prosecutors allege that once Gallyamov gained access to the victims’ computers, he provided access to co-conspirators who infected the computers with ransomware with such names as Prolock, Dopplepaymer and Egregor. Gallyamov was paid a portion of the ransoms received from ransomware victims, according to the DOJ.
Related Articles
La Cañada Flintridge executive to plead guilty to making illegal campaign contributions West Covina man gets 10-month sentence for malware scheme targeting elderly victims in Encino California man who used underwater scooter to evade arrest pleads guilty to investment fraud Coinbase says bribed workers leaked data to hacker seeking $20 million in ransom Newport Beach DoorDash driver pleads guilty to stealing $2.5 million in deliveries scamIn August 2023, the DOJ announced the seizure of illicit proceeds from Gallyamov, including more than 170 bitcoin and more than $4 million of cryptocurrency tokens.
If convicted, Gallyamov would face up to 25 years in federal prison, prosecutors noted.
The investigation of Gallyamov was led by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, which worked closely with investigators from around the world, officials said.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( In malware-ransomware extortion scheme, feds in LA charge man believed to be in Russia )
Also on site :