A suspect wanted by the FBI for cybercrimes has been arrested in Zakarpattia
The operation was carried out by officers from the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine, together with the Transcarpathian Regional Police, in cooperation with investigators from the State Bureau of Investigations, under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to law enforcement officials, the man was a member of a cybercrime network whose members used malicious software to gain access to personal and corporate data. They then demanded money in exchange for not disclosing or returning the information.
Citizens and institutions from the US and Europe fell victim to these actions. The total amount of losses exceeds $100 million.
The suspect was wanted internationally. According to the investigation, to evade prosecution, he faked his own death and began living in Ukraine under a different name, using forged documents.
According to the investigation, the proceeds were laundered through the purchase of property with the involvement of relatives. Law enforcement officers identified a discrepancy of several tens of millions of hryvnias between the relatives’ incomes and the value of the property they had acquired.
The man was arrested in Uzhhorod, where he was living in the home of one of his relatives. Two further individuals have also been identified who are suspected of assisting with the laundering of funds.
Several dozen searches were carried out as part of the investigation. Law enforcement officers seized and froze assets worth 80 million hryvnias, one million US dollars in cash, and cryptocurrency equivalent to three million US dollars.
Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigations informed the detainee that he is suspected of forging and using documents, as well as of laundering property obtained by criminal means.
Two of his accomplices have also been charged with money laundering. All those involved are currently in custody.
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