October 26, 2024 at 05:12AM
Four members of the defunct REvil ransomware group have been sentenced in Russia for hacking and money laundering. Artem Zaets received 4.5 years, while Alexei Malozemov was sentenced to 5 years. Daniil Puzyrevsky and Ruslan Khansvyarov received 5.5 and 6 years, respectively, marking a rare conviction in Russia for cybercrime.
**Meeting Takeaways – Oct 26, 2024: Cybercrime / Malware**
1. **Sentencing of REvil Members**: Four members of the REvil ransomware group have been sentenced in Russia:
– Artem Zaets: 4.5 years
– Alexei Malozemov: 5 years
– Ruslan Khansvyarov: 5.5 years
– Daniil Puzyrevsky: 6 years
– Charges included illegal circulation of means of payment, with some members also guilty of distributing malware.
2. **Broader Case Context**:
– The sentenced individuals are part of a larger group of 14 initially detained.
– A new criminal case is active for four other members (Andrei Bessonov, Mikhail Golovachuk, Roman Muromsky, and Dmitry Korotaev) related to unlawful access to computer information.
3. **Dismantling of REvil**: The group, once a prominent ransomware operation, was dismantled following a significant crackdown by Russia’s FSB.
4. **International Notable Case**: Yaroslav Vasinskyi, a 24-year-old Ukrainian, was sentenced in the U.S. for orchestrating over 2,500 REvil attacks, receiving 13 years and ordered to pay $16 million in restitution.
5. **Ongoing Investigations**: Russian authorities have opened investigations into other entities (Cryptex and UAPS) accused of aiding cybercriminals through money laundering, following U.S. sanctions.
**Next Steps**: Consider monitoring outcomes of ongoing cases and the potential impact on future cybercrime operations and legislation.