Similar to how technology is ever-changing and developing, so are the threats and exploitation it poses. In today’s age, criminal activity has extended to the digital world, and the threats and dangers they present are becoming more and more serious and complicated.
These crimes also affect structures in both public and private sectors, from civilian citizens to government entities and state secrets. Here are some of the most perverse and invasive cybercrimes and the masterminds behind them:
Nicolae Popescu
With “Nae” and “Stoichitoiu” as aliases, Nicolae Popescu is wanted by the FBI due to his alleged involvement in an Internet fraud scheme.
According to the authorities, Popescu has allegedly put up several ads on online auction websites for items that never existed and has illegitimate online payment services. He had also opened multiple bank accounts using fake passports in order to wire the victim’s money.
A reward of $1 million is being offered by the FBI for any information leading to his arrest.
JabberZeus Suspects
Assumed to be located in Ukraine and Russia, the masterminds behind this scheme are wanted for their participation in a massive racketeering enterprise that installed malicious software on victims’ computers without authorization.
The software, also known as “Zeus” trojans, is malware that illegally obtains victims’ bank details such as account numbers, personal identifications, passwords, and other necessary information needed to process online banking transactions.
Three of the suspects namely Ivan Victorvich Klepikov, Alexey Dmitrievich Bron, and Vyacheslav Igorevich Penchukov are charged with multiple warrants of arrest including Conspiracy to Violate the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, and Conspiracy to Violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act among others.
Peteris Sahurovs
Between February and September 2010, Sahurovs is wanted for being involved in an international cybercrime scheme which involved draining over $2 million from unaware victims.
By placing illegitimate advertisements in an online newspaper, he was able to sell fraudulent security programs. With aliases such as “sagade”, “piotrek”, and “piotrek89”, the FBI is offering $50,000 for any tip for his arrest.
Ahmed Al Agha
Wanted for his alleged participation in the SEA of the Syrian Electronic Army, Ahmed Al Agha has allegedly committed hacks in support and aid to the Syrian Regime.
Between September 2011 and January 2014, he has committed numerous cyberattacks to agencies in the United States, private organizations, and media organizations under his online alias “Th3 Pr0”.
In June 2014, he was charged with numerous violations related to computer intrusions such as Conspiracy to Gain Unauthorized Access to and Damage Computers and Conspiracy to Convey False Information Regarding a Terrorist Attack.
Wang Dong
Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Computer Fraud, Economic Espionage, and Theft of Trade Secrets among 31 other charges, Wang Dong is one of the officers of the PRC’S Third Department of the General Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army.
He was involved in illegally accessing state secrets such as technical specifications and details for nuclear plant designs.
With aliases such as “UglyGorilla” and “Jack Wang”, Wang Dong was among the five Chinese military hackers who were charged with offenses targeted specifically at United States nuclear power, solar products, and metal industries.
