LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A sprawling, international cybercrime enterprise known as the Infraud Organization has been dealt a crippling blow. Federal authorities today unsealed an indictment charging 36 individuals with racketeering and related crimes, alleging they were responsible for over $530 million in losses stemming from the large-scale theft and sale of stolen identities, credit card data, and malicious software. The organization, operating like a dark web business, allegedly intended to cause over $2.2 billion in damages.
The indictment details how the Infraud Organization, born in October 2010, quickly became a central hub for “carding” – the illicit purchase of goods using stolen or counterfeit credit card information. Founded by Svyatoslav Bondarenko, 34, of Ukraine, known online as “Obnon,” “Rector,” and “Helkern,” the group operated under the chilling slogan “In Fraud We Trust.” Bondarenko allegedly built the organization to attract and facilitate cybercriminals, directing traffic to member-operated automated vending sites where stolen data and malware were traded.
Authorities have made arrests in the United States and six other countries – Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Kosovo, and Serbia – bringing 13 defendants into custody. The remaining 23 defendants remain at large. The operation involved a coordinated effort between federal, state, and international law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“Today’s indictment and arrests mark one of the largest cyberfraud enterprise prosecutions ever undertaken by the Department of Justice,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan. “Its members allegedly caused more than $530 million in actual losses to consumers, businesses, and financial institutions alike. We are committed to working closely with our international counterparts to identify, investigate, and bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes, wherever in the world they operate.”
U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada emphasized the office’s commitment to protecting national and economic security. “Criminals cannot hide behind their computer screens,” she declared. “We are working vigilantly with American and international law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt transnational cybercrime organizations, such as the Infraud Organization.” The indictment alleges the organization also provided escrow services for digital currency transactions and employed screening protocols to ensure the “quality” of stolen data offered for sale.
HSI Acting Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner warned that cybercriminal organizations like Infraud pose a global threat. “The actions of computer hackers and identity thieves not only harm countless innocent Americans, but the threat they pose to our financial system and global commerce cannot be overstated,” Benner said. “HSI will continue working with our law enforcement partners… to aggressively target cyber thieves to ensure the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.” The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the remaining defendants and dismantle the remaining infrastructure of the Infraud Organization.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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