Deniss Zolotarjovs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], a 33-year-old Latvian national and member of the cybercriminal organization Karakurt, has been charged in the US for cybercrimes such as data theft, extortion [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], money laundering [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], wire fraud [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], and involvement in at least six extortion cases affecting American organizations from August 2021 to November 2023 [4].
Description
Zolotarjovs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], operating under the alias “Sforza_cesarini,” was actively involved in negotiating ransom payments and pressuring victims to comply with extortion demands [1]. The FBI was able to link Zolotarjovs to his online alias through Bitcoin transfers and IP addresses [1], leading to his arrest and extradition [1]. Karakurt actors have harassed victims and their associates with threatening emails and phone calls [1], containing stolen data such as social security numbers and sensitive business information [1]. Zolotarjovs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], who lived in Moscow [4], was arrested in Georgia in December 2023 and extradited to the US earlier this month [1] [4]. An online cybersecurity news blog editor also connected the FBI to Zolotarjovs after being approached by an anonymous person seeking help in extorting Karakurt victims [6]. Zolotarjovs faces severe penalties [4], including up to 20 years in prison for each charge [4], along with fines up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction for money laundering [4]. The arrest underscores the US authorities’ commitment to tackling international cybercrime and could lead to further disruptions within the Karakurt group [4]. Zolotarjovs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], using the name “Karakurt,” gained access to computer systems at companies across the country [3], including in Ohio [3], from 2021 to 2023 [3]. He stole documents from hundreds of companies and threatened to sell them [3], leading to millions in payments to keep them off the dark web [3]. Facing potential prison time [3], he offered to cooperate with FBI agents in exchange for information on Karakurt and a payment of $365,000 [3]. The FBI agreed to meet him in Georgia [3], where they arrested him [3]. Karakurt [1] [3] [4] [5] [6], a splinter group from the Conti ransomware operation [6], targeted victims worldwide [1], stealing data and demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrency until September 2023 [1]. Zolotarjovs was involved in Karakurt’s extortion operations [5], where the group stole data from companies and demanded ransoms to prevent its public release [5]. His arrest marks the first of a Karakurt member being extradited to the US [4] [5], potentially paving the way for further prosecutions [5]. Zolotarjovs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], a member of a Russian cybercrime group [2] [6], has been charged with conspiring to commit money laundering [2] [3], wire fraud [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], and extortion in the United States [2]. Zolotarjovs was arrested in Georgia and extradited to the US [1] [2] [6], where he is accused of being part of a cybercriminal organization that steals victim data and demands ransom in cryptocurrency [2]. The FBI played a vital role in the investigation [2], with assistance from various offices and officials in Georgia [2]. An indictment has been issued [2], but the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court [2].
Conclusion
The arrest of Deniss Zolotarjovs highlights the ongoing efforts of US authorities to combat international cybercrime. This case serves as a warning to cybercriminal organizations like Karakurt that their illegal activities will not go unpunished. The extradition of Zolotarjovs could potentially lead to further disruptions within the group and deter others from engaging in similar criminal activities. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts is crucial in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in cybercrimes, ultimately safeguarding individuals and organizations from malicious cyber threats.
References
[1] https://thehackernews.com/2024/08/latvian-hacker-extradited-to-us-for.html
[2] https://databreaches.net/2024/08/23/alleged-member-of-karakurt-extradited-and-charged-in-ohio/
[3] https://local12.com/news/local/how-fbi-caught-an-alleged-cyber-extortionist-targeted-companies-tri-state-international-crime-syndicate-ring-russia-georgia-extortion-scheme-money-laundering-wire-fraud-extortion-stole-companies-millions-dark-web-hacking-hacker-information-federal-agents
[4] https://cybermaterial.com/latvian-karakurt-member-charged-in-us/
[5] https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/daily-podcast/2135/transcript
[6] https://cyberscoop.com/karakurt-ransomware-arrest-deniss-zolotarjovs/
