Ercan Findikoglu, known as ‘Segate,’ was extradited to the United States to face charges for his alleged role in organizing three global cyberattacks that inflicted $55 million in losses on the global financial system within hours. The indictment, unsealed in Brooklyn federal court, charges Findikoglu with using sophisticated intrusion techniques to hack into the systems of global financial institutions, steal prepaid debit card data, and eliminate withdrawal limits.
According to the charges, Findikoglu’s organization used the stolen card data to make fraudulent ATM withdrawals on a massive scale across the globe. The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned at 11 a.m. today before United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.
Acting United States Attorney Kelly T. Currie praised the efforts of the Secret Service in investigating these complex network intrusions and thanked the authorities in Germany for their assistance in effecting the defendant’s extradition. ‘Cybercriminals, and especially hackers as this defendant is alleged to be, wreak havoc and steal millions of dollars by breaching our information systems and networks with clicks and keystrokes from the perceived anonymity of their computers at locations all over the globe. However, in doing so they leave traces in digital space that allow law enforcement to identify, apprehend, and ultimately hold them accountable for their crimes.’
Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Sica stated, ‘For the past twenty years, Special Agents assigned to the Secret Service New York Electronic Crimes Task Force have worked closely with our law enforcement partners, the business community, and our partners in academia to pursue cybercriminals who have taken aim at our homeland’s financial infrastructure. Today, we recognize our international law enforcement partners who were instrumental in the extradition of Ercan Findikoglu.’
The charges against Findikoglu follow charges previously brought against other members of the organization, including members of a New York City cell charged in May 2013 in connection with their roles in two of the attacks. Findikoglu allegedly managed a trusted group of co-conspirators who disseminated the stolen debit card information to leaders of ‘cashing crews’ around the world; they, in turn, used the stolen information to conduct tens of thousands of fraudulent ATM withdrawals.
The coordinated, calculated cyberattacks are known in the cyber-underworld as ‘Unlimited Operations’ because the manipulation of withdrawal limits enable the hackers to conduct massive withdrawals. Findikoglu allegedly maintained access to the computer networks of the Victim Processors in order to monitor the withdrawals.
The extradition of Findikoglu marks a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat global cybercrime. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in identifying and apprehending cybercriminals who operate across borders.
Related Federal Cases
- Ercan Findikoglu, Computer Intrusion, New York 2016 · New York
- Ercan Findikoglu, $55M Cyber Heist, NY 2023 · Washington
- JOSEPH JAMES O’CONNOR Extradited and Pleads Guilty to Cybercrime Offenses, New York NY, 2023 · Alabama
- Insurance Companies Fined $14.2M for Data Breach, New York NY, 2023 · Washington
- Daniel Pocock Files Civil Rights Lawsuit, New York NY, 2023 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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