DOJ says ransomware gang tapped into Russian government databases
U.S. prosecutors said a ransomware gang fueled Russian government corruption, and allowed the gang's leaders to avoid paying taxes and dodge the country's military draft.
AI Summary
Latvian hacker Deniss Zolotarjovs was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in the Russian ransomware gang Karakurt, which targeted U.S. government entities, disrupted 911 systems, and stole children's health information. U.S. prosecutors revealed that Karakurt leveraged access to Russian government databases and law enforcement connections to intimidate victims, with gang leaders using these ties to avoid taxes and military service through bribes to Russian officials. The gang targeted over 54 companies and extorted at least $15 million in ransoms, highlighting what U.S. officials describe as Russia's role as a "safe haven" for cybercriminals.