31-Year-Old Mastermind Behind Bank Account Hacks Arrested

In Ukraine, a 31-year-old mastermind behind a cybercriminal syndicate, responsible for hacking into the bank accounts of citizens in the United States and Canada and selling access through the dark web, has been arrested. The criminal’s name remains undisclosed.

The hackers employed a sophisticated ruse: convincing users to download malicious software disguised as various free programs. To do so, one needed to visit websites personally managed by the group’s leader, who actively promoted them through internet advertising.

Interestingly, the criminal did not limit his operations to a single platform: his trojans were tailored for both PCs and Android mobile devices. The impact was immediate — infected devices transmitted personal data directly into the hands of the software developer, granting access to Google accounts and online banking systems. The sale of this information to other cybercriminals on the darknet became a regular source of income for the man, with transactions conducted in Bitcoin and communications with buyers carried out via a phone number registered in Russia.

The investigation revealed that accomplices were involved in managing accounts on the darknet, though their identities remain unidentified. Since the inception of his criminal activities in 2017, and especially after shifting focus to phishing in 2021, the malefactor managed to earn at least $92,000, although the true extent of his profits is likely much higher.

The suspect was apprehended on February 14th in his own home. Authorities confiscated numerous valuable items, including a Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $65,000. The hacker now faces up to 8 years in prison and forfeiture of assets for a series of serious offenses, including money laundering and unauthorized interference with information systems.