April 16, 2024 at 02:27PM
FBI arrested Edmond Chakhmakhchyan on federal charges for attempting to market and sell malware, providing unauthorized control over a victim’s device. Pleading not guilty, he’s due to stand trial on June 4. Chakhmakhchyan had struck a deal with the malware’s creator to advertise the Hive remote access Trojan (RAT) and facilitate bitcoin payments and customer support. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each count. His Australian counterpart involved in creating and selling the malware also faces charges.
From the provided meeting notes, it is clear that Edmond Chakhmakhchyan, also known as “Corruption,” was arrested by the FBI on federal charges related to the marketing and sale of malware named Hive remote access Trojan (RAT). The charges allege that he intended to allow a threat actor to take control of a victim’s device. Chakhmakhchyan pleaded not guilty to his two-count indictment and is set to stand trial on June 4.
The creator of the malware, an Australian national, was also involved and struck a deal with Chakhmakhchyan. The deal required him to advertise the malware on a website called Hack Forums, accept payment in bitcoin for licenses to use the malware, and provide assistance to the malware customers if needed. Once deployed, Hive RAT allowed customers to gain unauthorized control, disable programs, browse files, record keystrokes, access communications, and steal credentials without the victim’s knowledge.
Chakhmakhchyan is specifically charged with one count of conspiracy to advertise a device as an interception device, to transmit a code to intentionally cause damage to a protected computer, and to intentionally access a computer to obtain information. Additionally, he faces one count of advertising a device as an interception device. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for each count.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have also charged Chakhmakhchyan’s counterpart, who was allegedly involved in the creation and sale of the malware. They face 12 charges, each carrying a maximum penalty of three years in prison.