Russian cyber crime ring busted as part of Cleveland investigation | #cybercrime | #infosec

A Russian company operating under the name Media Land was providing cyber criminals what’s known as a bulletproof hosting site from which to scam millions of dollars from people, governments and businesses across the world.

It’s estimated this one service provider which would allow criminals to remain hidden in exchange for money, was able to steal or ransome some $62 million.

The investigation started seven years ago with the first complaint coming into the Cleveland office of the FBI.

Through years of research investigators have now indicted three Russian nationals and their two businesses.

• Alexander Alexandrovich Volosovik, 43, of St. Petersburg, Russia
• Kirill Andreevich Zatolokin, 34, of St. Petersburg, Russia
• Yulia Vladimirovna Pankova, 29, of St. Petersburg, Russia
• Media Land, LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia
• ML.Cloud, LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia

“The victims in this case are not only in Ohio, but also in 20 other states across the country, touching every aspect of Americans’ lives. They include banks, schools, government entities, hospitals, and media companies,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio.

Investigators would not specifically name cities or businesses who may have had to pay ransoms to get systems unlocked but did list areas in Northern Ohio where those victims come from:

Akron, Brookfield, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Medina, Findlay, Solon, and Valley View.

Investigators are still looking for more information on the suspects and their companies and the U.S. office of Reward and Justice is offering a $10 million reward.