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Carlos Ruiz-Rodriguez, 25, Sentenced to 15 Months for Extortion Scheme
Cincinnati, OH – In a shocking turn of events, Carlos Ruiz-Rodriguez, 25, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was sentenced to 15 months for his role in an extortion scheme against a local company.
According to court documents, Ruiz-Rodriguez was employed at the company for approximately two years as a call center employee. He had access to the company’s customer service portal and personally identifiable information for certain clients.
Ruiz-Rodriguez used the credentials of another employee to obtain proprietary company information. He then sent multiple extortion emails to the company between November 2015 and January 2016, claiming that he had hacked the company and provided proof of compromise of the company’s data.
Ruiz-Rodriguez demanded a Bitcoin ransom from the company, stating that if they did not pay, the company schematics and client data would be released to the public. Through an intermediary, he posted the company’s data on an internet "dark web" forum and received two separate ransom payments from the employer totaling approximately $15,000.
Ruiz-Rodriguez was also ordered to pay restitution of $277,278.98 to the employer and $259,212.74 to the employer’s insurer. U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Tim Mangan, who is prosecuting the case.
The investigation into Ruiz-Rodriguez’s activities began after a federal grand jury indicted him in August 2016. He pleaded guilty on November 30, 2016, to intruding computers, stealing proprietary information from his employer, and then extorting his employer.
U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett handed down the sentence, which was announced by Glassman and Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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