Infostealer Scam

⏱ 2 min read

Hambardzum Minasyan, an Armenian man, has been extradited to the United States to face charges in Austin, Texas, for his alleged role in an infostealing malware scheme. Minasyan is accused of developing and administering RedLine, a prevalent infostealing malware variant used to conduct intrusions against major corporations. The scheme involved stealing data, including access devices, from victims’ computers, and laundering the proceeds through cryptocurrency exchanges. Minasyan made his initial appearance in an Austin federal court on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Minasyan conspired with others to enrich himself by maintaining digital infrastructure, including C2 servers and administrative panels, to enable the deployment of the malware by affiliates. He also allegedly collected payments from RedLine affiliates, allowing them to use the infostealer against victims. Minasyan registered virtual private servers, internet domains, and created repositories on an online file sharing site to distribute RedLine to affiliates.

The indictment alleges that Minasyan’s actions were part of a larger scheme to steal and possess the financial information of victims, and launder the proceeds of cybercrime. In October 2024, the Department of Justice joined international partners in announcing an effort to disrupt the current version of RedLine Infostealer. Minasyan’s extradition marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and bring those responsible to justice.

The case highlights the growing threat of infostealing malware and the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. As the use of technology continues to evolve, law enforcement agencies must stay vigilant in their efforts to protect individuals and organizations from these types of threats.