Four REvil Ransomware Members Sentenced in Rare Russian Cybercrime Convictions – The Hacker News
Four REvil Ransomware Members Sentenced in Rare Russian Cybercrime Convictions The Hacker News
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Cybercrime
Oct 26, 2024 – Ravie Lakshmanan
Four members of the now-defunct REvil ransomware operation have been sentenced to several years in prison in Russia, marking one of the rare instances where cybercriminals from the country have been convicted of hacking and money laundering charges.
Russian news publication Kommersant reported that a court in St. Petersburg found Artem Zaets, Alexei Malozemov, Daniil Puzyrevsky, and Ruslan Khansvyarov guilty of illegal circulation of means of payment. Puzyrevsky and Khansvyarov have also been found guilty of using and distributing malware.
To that end, Zaets and Malozemov were sentenced to 4.5 and 5 years in prison. Khansvyarov and Puzyrevsky received a jail term of 5.5 and 6 years, respectively.
The four individuals are part of a group of 14 people who were initially detained in connection with the case. As reported by TASS back in January 2022, eight of them were charged by the court for their malicious activities.
The remaining four members, Andrei Bessonov, Mikhail Golovachuk, Roman Muromsky, and Dmitry Korotaev, are being prosecuted under a new criminal case related to unlawful access to computer information, Kommersant added.
REvil, which was once one of the most prolific ransomware groups, was dismantled after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced arrests against several members in an unprecedented takedown.
Earlier this year, a 24-year-old Ukrainian national named Yaroslav Vasinskyi was sentenced to 13 years in prison in the U.S. and ordered to pay $16 million in restitution for carrying out more than 2,500 REvil ransomware attacks and demanding ransom payments to the tune of more than $700 million.
The sentencing of REvil members in Russia also comes a month after authorities in the country opened an investigation into Cryptex and UAPS, both of which were sanctioned by the U.S. for offering money laundering services to cybercriminals.
Conclusion
The conviction and sentencing of the REvil ransomware group members in Russia is a significant step towards combating cybercrime. It demonstrates the commitment of the Russian authorities to address hacking and money laundering charges, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
The SDGs aim to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions (Goal 16) and ensure cybersecurity and resilient infrastructure (Goal 9). By holding cybercriminals accountable, countries contribute to a safer digital environment and protect individuals and businesses from the devastating impact of cyberattacks.
Furthermore, the collaboration between international law enforcement agencies and the successful dismantling of ransomware groups like REvil highlight the importance of global cooperation in achieving the SDGs. It is crucial for countries to work together to combat cybercrime and create a secure and sustainable digital future.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime
- Indicator: Number of convictions for cybercrime and money laundering
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms
- Indicator: Number of convictions for illegal circulation of means of payment and using and distributing malware
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime | Number of convictions for cybercrime and money laundering |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms | Number of convictions for illegal circulation of means of payment and using and distributing malware |
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article mentions that four members of the REvil ransomware operation have been sentenced to prison for hacking and money laundering charges. This addresses the target of SDG 16.4, which aims to combat all forms of organized crime, including cybercrime and money laundering. The number of convictions for cybercrime and money laundering serves as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article also mentions that the convicted individuals were found guilty of illegal circulation of means of payment and using and distributing malware. This connects to SDG 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth. Target 8.7 specifically aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery, and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The number of convictions for illegal circulation of means of payment and using and distributing malware can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.
Source: thehackernews.com
