Tag: financial crimes
44 articles
US Lawmakers Scrutinize Scam-Fighting Coordination
US lawmakers are pushing for better coordination in scam-fighting efforts, calling for a unified leader to tackle the issue with the urgency of a combat operation. Currently, there's no single entity in charge across agencies, leaving scam networks to easily relocate and evade enforcement.
Crypto Thefts Surge Via Violent Physical Attacks
Criminals are targeting crypto holders with violent physical attacks, exploiting the fact that they possess wealth that can be transferred instantly and irreversibly. In the first half of 2026, these brutal tactics have resulted in $30 million in direct losses and a staggering $107 million when including attempted thefts.
Canadian Hacker Pleads Guilty in Snowflake Extortion Scheme
A Canadian hacker has pleaded guilty to masterminding a massive extortion scheme targeting Snowflake customers, compromising at least 165 accounts and swiping billions of sensitive records in a brazen heist that raked in over $2.5m in ransom payments. Connor Riley Moucka, 26, faces up to 32 years in prison for his role in the 2024 cyber attacks.
Russian Firms Targeted in Nine-Year Advance Payment Fraud Campaign
Russian companies have been hit by a massive nine-year scam, with nearly 100 fake websites impersonating major firms to swindle advance payments from international partners across various sectors. The sophisticated campaign, active since 2017, has used multiple languages and evolved to use diverse domain extensions.
US Targets Overseas Cybercrooks with Visa Cancellations
The US is cracking down on overseas cybercrooks by cancelling their visas, a move aimed at curbing the $10 billion+ in scams that defraud American citizens every year. This targeted approach will deny visas to foreign nationals involved in cybercrime, including those behind investment scams and sextortion schemes that prey on vulnerable victims.
US Prosecutors Charge Two in $43 Million Investment Fraud Laundering Scheme
For nearly two years, Zhuoying Chen and Haojie Zhang allegedly masterminded a brazen $43 million investment fraud laundering scheme, preying on innocent victims and funneling their life savings into bank accounts in China. The sophisticated network, involving over a dozen people, was recently dismantled by US authorities.
Dutch Police Disrupts €100 Million Investment Fraud Ring
Dutch police have cracked down on a massive €100 million investment fraud ring, arresting multiple suspects, including a 46-year-old Israeli-Polish national with a notorious hacking past. The international sweep resulted in detentions across Cyprus, Greece, and Belgium, with authorities vowing to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.
US Charges Russian Nationals for Bulletproof Hosting Services
US authorities have charged three Russian nationals with operating illicit bulletproof hosting services that enabled cybercrime, affecting victims across 21 states, including banks, schools, hospitals, and media companies. The accused, Aleksandr Volosovik, Yulia Pankova, and Kirill Zatolokin, allegedly facilitated a range of malicious activities through their services.
Spanish Police Dismantle €140 Million Cyber Fraud Ring
Meet the cybercrime ring that swindled €140 million from unsuspecting victims through cunning investment scams and business email hacks - but thanks to a slick operation by Spanish Police, its masterminds have been brought to justice. Four key players were arrested across Spain, Portugal, and Panama, dealing a major blow to this industrial-scale cybercrime network.
UK Charges Five in Crackdown on Russian Coms Spoofing Platform
In a major crackdown on cybercrime, five London residents have been charged in connection with Russian Coms, a notorious caller-ID spoofing platform that enabled scammers to swindle tens of millions from an estimated 170,000 victims since 2020. The accused allegedly helped fraudsters pose as trusted institutions to trick people into handing over cash and sensitive information.
Ryuk Ransomware Operative Pleads Guilty in US Court
A major player behind the notorious Ryuk Ransomware gang has taken responsibility for their crimes, with Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, a 34-year-old Armenian national, pleading guilty in a US court to conspiracy and computer fraud. As part of his plea deal, Vardanyan will pay over $1.1m in restitution for his role in the massive cyberattack that netted over $15m in bitcoin payments.
Ryuk Ransomware Operative Pleads Guilty, Faces 15-Year Sentence
A 34-year-old Armenian man, Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, has pleaded guilty to masterminding a brazen ransomware scheme that raked in around $15 million by infiltrating hundreds of computer networks and deploying Ryuk ransomware. Vardanyan's guilty plea comes after his extradition from Ukraine, where he was arrested in April 2025.
Ransomware Negotiator Sentenced for Duping Clients in $75.3 Million Extortion Scheme
A trusted ransomware negotiator turned double agent, Angelo Martino betrayed his clients, funneling their confidential info to BlackCat affiliates and lining his pockets with a share of their ransoms, leaving a trail of devastated businesses in his wake. His deceit raked in $75.3 million for him and his co-conspirators.
US Extradites Alleged Scattered Spider Hacker
A 19-year-old hacker, Peter Stokes, has been extradited to the US from Finland, where he was arrested while trying to flee to Japan, and now faces charges for his alleged role in the notorious Scattered Spider hacking group. Stokes is accused of helping orchestrate over 100 network intrusions that netted more than $100 million in ransom payments.
US Extradites 19-Year-Old Hacker to Face Charges
Meet Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old hacker who's in hot water after allegedly orchestrating over 100 network intrusions that raked in a staggering $100 million in ransom payments, leaving a trail of chaos for businesses and investigators to clean up. Stokes, a dual US and Estonian citizen, has been extradited from Finland to face federal charges of conspiracy, computer intrusion, and fraud.
Business Email Compromise Attacks Evolve with AI-Powered Tactics
Business Email Compromise attacks are no ordinary email scams - they're sophisticated, organized operations that now utilize AI-powered tactics to deceive and defraud. A recent underground forum thread reveals the inner workings of modern BEC schemes, from initial malware attacks to sending fake invoices.
Minnesota Hacker 'Snoopy' Sentenced for DraftKings Breach Role
A 21-year-old Minnesota hacker known as "Snoopy" has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in a massive credential stuffing attack that compromised nearly 60,000 DraftKings user accounts. He'll also serve three years of supervised release, pay over $1.3 million in restitution, and forfeit $463,000.
Dutch Police Disrupt Helpdesk Scam Ring with In-Person Tactics
Dutch police stormed a makeshift call centre in Amsterdam, catching six suspects in the act of running a helpdesk scam ring and making off with multiple laptops, phones, and bank cards. The daring raid, which happened on June 10, has put a dent in the operation, but police warn that further arrests may be on the horizon.
FBI Warns of Courier Cash Scams Fueling Crypto Investment Fraud
Beware of scammers who are using couriers to collect cash from victims, often under the guise of required investments or fines to withdraw from a fake crypto investment firm. The FBI warns that these scammers will instruct victims to hand over cash to a courier, often using verification tactics like sharing a dollar bill serial number or password to gain trust.
FBI Warns of Courier-Based Crypto Scams
Don't fall victim to crypto scams: scammers are now using couriers to collect cash from unsuspecting victims at their homes or in public, often using passwords or specific dollar bill serial numbers to authenticate the pickup. This low-tech twist on investment scams adds a frighteningly personal touch.
Ukrainian Hacker Pleads Guilty in Conti Ransomware Case
Meet Oleksii Lytvynenko, a Ukrainian hacker who just pleaded guilty to his role in the notorious Conti ransomware case, which targeted over 1,000 victims worldwide and raked in a staggering $150 million in ransom payments. He's now facing up to 20 years in prison for his involvement.
Europol Disrupts Major Crypto Laundering Service Linked to Ransomware Gangs
Europol's operation has cut off a major crypto laundering service linked to ransomware gangs, freezing hundreds of millions in illicit profits and disrupting a key financial pipeline used by criminals. The crackdown seized over €86,000 in cash, froze €692,000 in cryptocurrency, and took down 25 domains and 30 servers.
US Disrupts Southeast Asia Crypto Fraud Networks, Freezes $3.8 Million
The US Department of Justice has struck a major blow against crypto fraudsters, freezing $3.8 million and disrupting a network of scam centers in Southeast Asia that prey on vulnerable Americans, wiping out life savings with devastating cyber-enabled investment scams. This crackdown is part of the Scam Center Strike Force initiative, aimed at protecting citizens from transnational criminal organizations.
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.