Russian Member of Karakurt Cyber Extortion Gang Charged in US

Russian Member of Karakurt Cyber Extortion Gang Charged in US

August 23, 2024 at 05:51AM

Deniss Zolotarjovs, a 33-year-old Russian national, has been charged in the US for his role in the cybercrime gang Karakurt, known for data theft and extortion. Zolotarjovs was arrested in Georgia in December 2023, extradited to the US, and appeared in a US District Court in Cincinnati to face charges including money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud, and Hobbs Act extortion. The Karakurt gang has been associated with the Conti group and has engaged in hacking, stealing data, and extorting victims. Zolotarjovs allegedly received and laundered illicit funds for the gang, which has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency payments from victims.

From the meeting notes, it is clear that a Russian national, Deniss Zolotarjovs, has been charged in the US for his alleged involvement in the Karakurt cybercrime gang. The gang is known for its data theft and extortion activities, targeting organizations worldwide and demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrency. Zolotarjovs is facing charges of money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud, and Hobbs Act extortion. It is also mentioned that the Karakurt gang has used various names such as TommyLeaks, Schoolboys Ransomware Gang, and Blockbit. Additionally, Zolotarjovs is the first alleged group member to be arrested and extradited to the United States. This information provides a clear understanding of the situation regarding the charges and activities of the Karakurt cybercrime gang and the specific involvement of Deniss Zolotarjovs.

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