Related Federal Cases
Mark Vartanyan, Computer Fraud, Georgia 2016
ATLANTA – Mark Vartanyan, also known as ‘Kolypto,’ a Russian national, has been arraigned in federal court in Georgia following his extradition from Norway in December 2016. Vartanyan was charged with one count of computer fraud.
According to U.S. Attorney John Horn, Vartanyan allegedly developed, improved, and maintained the pernicious ‘Citadel’ malware toolkit. Citadel is a malware toolkit designed to infect computer systems and steal financial account credentials and personally identifiable information from victim computer networks.
Between August 21, 2012, and January 9, 2013, while residing in Ukraine, and again between April 9, 2014, and June 2, 2014, while residing in Norway, Vartanyan allegedly engaged in the development, improvement, maintenance, and distribution of Citadel. During these periods, Vartanyan allegedly uploaded numerous electronic files that consisted of Citadel malware, components, updates, and patches, as well as customer information, all with the intent of improving Citadel’s illicit functionality.
According to industry estimates, Citadel infected approximately 11 million computers worldwide and is responsible for over $500 million in losses. Vartanyan’s alleged role in developing and improving Citadel for its use by cybercriminals caused a vast amount of financial harm to individuals and institutions around the world.
Vartanyan was extradited to the United States in December 2016 from Norway. He was charged in a one-count Information with computer fraud, and was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard. This successful extradition is yet another example of how cooperation among international law enforcement partners can be used to disrupt and dismantle global cyber syndicates, said U.S. Attorney John Horn.
This case is part of an ongoing investigation of the Citadel malware. In 2015, Dimitry Belorossov, also known as Rainerfox, was sentenced to four years, six months in prison following his guilty plea for conspiring to commit computer fraud for distributing and installing Citadel onto victim computers using a variety of infection methods.
Belorossov downloaded a version of Citadel, which he then used to operate a Citadel botnet primarily from Russia. Belorossov remotely controlled over 7,000 victim bots, including at least one infected computer system with an IP address resolving to the United States. The FBI’s long-term commitment to identifying and pursuing cybercriminals worldwide serves as a strong deterrent to others targeting America’s financial institutions and citizens through the use of malicious software, said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Office.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
CybercrimeCybercrimeCybercrimeCybercrime