Deniss Zolotarjovs, 33, from Moscow, Russia, was charged with federal crimes in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati today.
A member of a notorious Russian cybercrime group, Zolotarjovs, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, wire fraud, and Hobbs Act extortion.
He has been in custody since his arrest in Georgia in December 2023. This month, Georgia extradited Zolotarjovs to the United States, marking a significant development in the international fight against cybercrime.
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Cybercrime Group’s Modus Operandi
Court documents reveal that Zolotarjovs was part of a cybercriminal organization known for its global attacks on computer systems.
The group is notorious for stealing data from victims and demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrency, threatening to release the data if their demands are not met.
They operate a leaks and auction website, listing victim companies and offering stolen data for download. Zolotarjovs is accused of actively participating in these criminal activities, including laundering cryptocurrency and extorting victims.
The charges against Zolotarjovs were announced by Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division.
They praised the collaborative efforts of the FBI offices in Cleveland, San Diego, Richmond, and Salt Lake City and the Georgia officials who facilitated the extradition.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter represents the U.S. in this case, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs significantly assisted in securing the extradition.
Zolotarjovs is the first alleged member of this cybercrime group to be arrested and brought to the United States, highlighting the global cooperation required to combat cyber threats.
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