March 1, 2024 at 09:47AM
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Alireza Shafie Nasab, an Iranian national, for cyber-espionage targeting U.S. government and defense entities. Operating from 2016 to April 2021, Nasab and co-conspirators employed phishing and hacking techniques to compromise over 200,000 devices, resulting in charges carrying 5 to 20 years in prison. The Department of State offers up to $10 million for information on Nasab’s whereabouts.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting Notes:
An indictment has been unveiled by the U.S. Department of Justice against Alireza Shafie Nasab, an Iranian national, for his involvement in a cyber-espionage campaign targeting U.S. government and defense entities.
The campaign ran from 2016 to April 2021, targeting over a dozen American organizations, including the Departments of the Treasury and State, defense contractors, and New York-based accounting and hospitality companies.
Nasab and his co-conspirators used specialized tools to launch phishing attacks while working as an IT specialist for Iranian firm Mahak Rayan Afraz, compromising at least 200,000 computers.
Authorities allege Nasab had a significant involvement in the campaign, using spear phishing and social engineering tactics to compromise victim devices, many containing sensitive or classified defense information.
Nasab faces charges relating to conspiracy to commit computer and wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with potential prison sentences between 5 and 20 years, plus a mandatory two-year sentence for identity theft.
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program offers up to $10 million for information leading to Nasab’s identification or location, and individuals with information are encouraged to submit tips to a specific Tor address.
These takeaways summarize the key points from the meeting notes regarding the indictment against Alireza Shafie Nasab and the cyber-espionage campaign targeting U.S. entities.