Hive RAT Creators and $3.5M Cryptojacking Mastermind Arrested in Global Crackdown

Hive RAT Creators and $3.5M Cryptojacking Mastermind Arrested in Global Crackdown

April 16, 2024 at 04:27AM

Two individuals were arrested in Australia and the U.S. for their involvement in developing and distributing the remote access trojan Hive RAT. Edmond Chakhmakhchyan, also known as “Corruption,” from Los Angeles, was charged with selling the malware and faces conspiracy and device advertising charges. Additionally, Charles O. Parks III was indicted for operating an illegal cryptojacking operation, defrauding cloud computing providers.

The meeting notes describe two separate incidents involving cybercrime:

1. Involvement of individuals in the creation and sale of a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) called Hive RAT, with arrests made in Australia and the U.S. One of the individuals, Edmond Chakhmakhchyan, was taken into custody in California for selling a license of Hive RAT to an undercover law enforcement employee. Charges include conspiracy and advertising a device as an interception device, with a penalty of five years in prison for each count.

2. Indictment of Charles O. Parks III for operating a significant illegal cryptojacking operation, defrauding cloud computing services providers of resources to mine cryptocurrency worth nearly $1 million. Charges include wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, with maximum sentences of 20 years’ imprisonment for wire fraud and money laundering, and 10 years’ imprisonment for unlawful monetary transactions.

The broader implications of these incidents are the increasing sophistication and audacity of cybercrime, which poses significant threats to individuals, organizations, and the overall cybersecurity landscape. Both cases highlight the need for robust cybersecurity measures and law enforcement efforts to combat evolving cyber threats.

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