February 19, 2024 at 08:38AM
A 31-year-old Ukrainian cybercriminal was arrested for operating a cybercrime scheme targeting American and Canadian bank accounts. The suspect distributed trojanized software through websites and promoted them with online advertising. The hacker stole sensitive data and sold access to bank accounts on the dark web, potentially making over $92,000. The suspect could face up to 8 years in prison for violations including money laundering and unauthorized interference with information systems. To avoid malware, users are advised to be cautious with search results and use ad-blockers.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
1. The Ukrainian cyber police arrested a 31-year-old individual for running a cybercrime operation. The suspect distributed trojanized software through websites he administered and promoted through advertising campaigns.
2. The suspect distributed virus-infected software for both desktop and Android operating systems, which infected victims’ devices and siphoned sensitive data to the hacker.
3. The hacker then sold access to the breached accounts to other cybercriminals over the dark web, arranging payments in Bitcoins after contacting them over the phone using a Russian number.
4. The suspect had accomplices for this activity, and authorities are looking to learn their identities during the investigation.
5. The press release from the police also mentioned that the hacker has been active since 2017 and pivoted to phishing in 2021, obtaining at least $92,000 from his criminal activity.
6. The arrest occurred on February 14 at the suspect’s home, where the police confiscated various items, including a luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV worth around $65,000.
7. The suspect now faces potential prison time and the confiscation of all property for violations in the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Recommendations:
1. Users should exercise caution with promoted results in Google Search and verify that the loaded site is the official one from the vendor to reduce the risk of malware infections while searching for specific software tools.
2. Using an ad-blocker can automatically hide promoted results on Google Search, safeguarding online activities from malvertising threats.