WASHINGTON D.C. – A global manhunt is underway for Denis Gennadievich Kulkov, the alleged mastermind behind Try2Check, a sprawling online service that for nearly two decades has greased the wheels of the stolen credit card trade. The U.S. Secret Service and the State Department are putting up a staggering $10 million reward – the largest in the agency’s history – for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.
Kulkov, indicted in the Eastern District of New York, faces four counts: access device fraud, computer intrusion, and money laundering. Authorities allege that he created Try2Check in 2005, evolving it into the go-to tool for cybercriminals needing to verify the validity of stolen credit card numbers, often in bulk. The operation, according to court filings, processed tens of millions of checks annually, netting Kulkov at least $18 million in Bitcoin and an unspecified amount in other currencies.
The scheme wasn’t just a headache for card issuers and holders. Try2Check also allegedly misused the systems of a major U.S.-based payment processing company to perform these illicit checks, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. As the indictment was unsealed, law enforcement moved to take Try2Check’s websites offline, but Kulkov remains at large, likely operating beyond U.S. borders.
“The Secret Service today brings all we have to bear as we announce the largest award for a fugitive in agency history,” stated U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. “This case is a result of a years-long investigation involving multiple U.S. and international law enforcement partners. Our successes are due to our invaluable partnerships internationally and across the interagency.”
The $10 million reward comes from the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), established by Congress in 2013 to bolster the U.S. government’s ability to dismantle international criminal networks. The program allows the Secretary of State to offer rewards for information leading to arrests, convictions, or disruption of the financial underpinnings of these organizations. The Secret Service is leading the investigation, but the scale of the reward underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by Kulkov and Try2Check.
Anyone with information is urged to email mostwanted@usss.dhs.gov or contact their local U.S. Secret Service field office directly. This isn’t just about catching one man; it’s about choking off a vital pipeline for the global flow of stolen funds and disrupting a criminal ecosystem that thrives on financial fraud. The Secret Service is determined to bring Denis Gennadievich Kulkov to justice, and they’re willing to pay a fortune to get it done.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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