CAMDEN, N.J. – A pair of Russian nationals have finally faced justice for orchestrating one of the most audacious and damaging data breaches in U.S. history. Vladimir Drinkman, 37, of Syktyvkar and Moscow, Russia, received a crushing 144-month federal prison sentence, while his accomplice, Dmitriy Smilianets, 34, of Moscow, will serve 51 months and 21 days – time already served. The duo’s scheme pilfered a staggering 160 million credit card numbers, resulting in losses exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars.
The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle, mark a significant, if delayed, victory for federal investigators. Drinkman and Smilianets pleaded guilty back in September 2013, but bureaucratic hurdles and extradition battles kept the case in legal limbo for years. They were initially arrested in the Netherlands in June 2012, with Drinkman’s extradition to the District of New Jersey finally completed in February 2015 and Smilianets following in September of the same year.
“These defendants operated at the highest levels of illegal hacking and trafficking of stolen identities,” declared Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick. “They used their sophisticated computer skills to infiltrate computer networks, steal information and sell it for a profit. Perpetrators of some of the largest data breaches in history, these defendants posed a real threat to our economy, privacy and national security, and cannot be tolerated.” The scope of the attack was breathtaking, hitting a who’s who of corporate giants and financial institutions.
According to court documents, Drinkman and Smilianets, along with three other co-defendants, systematically targeted networks belonging to NASDAQ, 7-Eleven, Carrefour, JCP, Hannaford, Heartland, Wet Seal, Commidea, Dexia, JetBlue, Dow Jones, Euronet, Visa Jordan, Global Payment, Diners Singapore and Ingenicard. Each member of the hacking ring played a specialized role, with Drinkman and Alexandr Kalinin, 31, of St. Petersburg, Russia, acting as the primary network penetrators. They didn’t just steal data; they built a thriving black market for it.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan emphasized the severity of the crime and the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing cybercriminals. “Drinkman and Smilianets not only stole over 160 million credit card numbers…they also used their bounty to fuel a robust underground market for hacked information,” he stated. “While mega breaches like these continue to affect millions of individuals around the world, hackers and would-be hackers should know that the Department of Justice will use all available tools to identify, arrest, and prosecute anyone who attacks the networks on which businesses and their customers rely.”
Mark McKevitt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Newark Field Office, highlighted the collaborative effort that brought the perpetrators to justice. “This case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners…and the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice,” McKevitt said. “The Secret Service will continue to develop innovative ways to protect the financial infrastructure of the United States and bring to justice cyber criminals who use emerging technologies to conduct business.” The long and complex investigation serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat posed by sophisticated cybercrime and the relentless work required to combat it.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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