Tag: conspiracy
11 articles
Ransomware Recovery CEO Charged in Alleged Secret Ransom Payments Scheme
A CEO's shocking scheme to profit from ransomware recovery has landed him in hot water, accused of secretly paying off ransomers while pretending to decrypt the malware for his clients, leaving them victimized twice over. The alleged scam, which ran from 2018 to 2023, could now cost him up to 20 years in prison.
US Soldier Sentenced for Hacking, Extorting Tech Firms
Meet Cameron John Wagenius, a 21-year-old former US Army soldier who hacked into tech giants like AT&T and Verizon, and was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his crimes, including extorting victim organizations for stolen data. He pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
US Sentences Ryuk Ransomware Operator to 2 Years in Prison
Meet Karen Vardanyan, a 35-year-old Armenian national who was sentenced to 2 years in prison for his role in the notorious Ryuk ransomware scheme, after pleading guilty to computer fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud and extortion. He was also ordered to pay around $1.2 million in restitution to victims.
Venezuelans Plead Guilty to ATM Jackpotting Attacks
Meet the five Venezuelan nationals who just pleaded guilty to orchestrating a string of daring ATM jackpotting attacks across the US, using malware to target vulnerable machines and make off with the cash. Their clever - but ultimately doomed - scheme involved installing malware in ATMs, but surveillance caught them in the act, leading to their arrest and guilty pleas.
Ransom Cartel Creator Sentenced to 16 Years for Global Cyberattacks
Meet Maksim Silnikau, the mastermind behind the notorious Ransom Cartel, who's now facing 16 years behind bars for masterminding a global cyberattack spree that targeted at least 18 companies and raked in millions for him. The US Department of Justice brought him to justice, sentencing him for conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft.
Ghanaian National Jailed for Stealing $10M in Romance Scams
Meet Derrick Van Yeboah, a 41-year-old Ghanaian national who was sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison for masterminding romance scams that swindled $10 million from unsuspecting victims, leaving a trail of heartbreak and financial ruin in his wake. As a "sakawa boy," Van Yeboah expertly impersonated romantic partners online, exploiting trust and vulnerability with devastating consequences.
Elder Data Trafficker Draws 10-Year Sentence
A massive data scam that compromised the personal info of over 7 million elderly Americans has landed its mastermind, 57-year-old Troy Murray, a 10-year prison sentence - a major victory in the fight against these heartless crimes. Murray, who went by the alias "Steve Dixon," was found guilty of running a scheme that sold sensitive data, including names, phone numbers, and addresses, to overseas scammers.
Romanian Swatting Ring Leader Draws 4-Year Prison Sentence
Thomasz Szabo, the ringleader of a notorious swatting ring, has been sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a campaign of fake bomb threats and swatting calls that targeted high-profile figures, including members of Congress and federal law enforcement officials. Szabo's malicious scheme sent armed police to the doors of innocent victims, causing fear and chaos.
Former Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Aiding BlackCat Cyber Gang
A former ransomware negotiator turned rogue, Angelo Martino has pleaded guilty to aiding the notorious BlackCat cyber gang, betraying his employer and the industry he was meant to serve. By secretly collaborating with BlackCat, Martino launched devastating ransomware attacks, causing harm to innocent victims and lining his own pockets.
Scotland Hacker Pleads Guilty in Scattered Spider Cybercrime Case
Meet Tyler Robert Buchanan, the 24-year-old mastermind behind the notorious Scattered Spider cybercrime gang, who has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and identity theft. With a potential 22-year prison sentence looming, Buchanan's guilty plea marks a major win for law enforcement in the fight against cybercrime.
Scattered Spider Operative Pleads Guilty to US Federal Charges
In a major breakthrough, Tyler Robert Buchanan, a senior figure in the notorious Scattered Spider cybercrime group, has pleaded guilty to federal charges, bringing an end to his digital crime spree. Buchanan admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a US federal district court.