Security News > 2022 > March > Estonian ransomware operator sentenced to 66 months in prison
Maksim Berezan, an Estonian man linked to multimillion-dollar ransomware attacks, was sentenced on Friday to 66 months in prison for his involvement in online fraud schemes.
According to the indictment, between July 2009 and December 2015, Berezan was a member of the exclusive DirectConnection cybercrime forum Russian-speaking cybercriminals could join after being vetted by three other members.
Besides online fraud involving the selling of stolen payment cards, Berazan was also involved in multiple ransomware attacks that led to more than $53 million in losses based on evidence found on electronic devices seized after his arrest.
The investigation found that he had participated in at least 13 ransomware attacks, seven against U.S. targets.
The victims sent roughly $11 million worth of ransom payments to cryptocurrency wallets under Berezan's control.
Law enforcement agents also seized over $200,000 from Berezan's residence and electronic devices storing bitcoin wallet passphrases for cryptocurrency worth approximately $1.7 million.