INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightUS Department of JusticeImage caption
Maksim Yakubets (L) and Igor Turashev are accused of running Evil
Corp
US authorities have filed charges against two Russian nationals alleged to be running a global cyber crime organisation
named Evil Corp.An indictment named Maksim Yakubets and Igor Turashev - who remain at large - as figures in a group which used malware to
steal millions of dollars in more than 40 countries.Those affected by the hacks include schools and religious organisations.It is also
alleged that Mr Yakubets worked for Russian intelligence.Speaking at a news conference, Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said
the attacks were among "the worst computer hacking and bank fraud schemes of the past decade".Mr Yakubets is accused of leading Moscow-based
Evil Corp, while Mr Turashev allegedly acted as an administrator
The pair are thought to be in Russia.Largest reward yet for cyber-criminalThursday's indictment came after a multi-year investigation by the
FBI, and by Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Cyber Security Centre.US authorities allege that the group stole at least $100m
(£76m) using Bugat malware - known as Dridex.Image copyrightNCAImage caption
Alleged members of Evil Corp have shares
images of personalised sports cars on their social media accounts
The malware was spread through so-called "phishing"
campaigns, which encouraged victims to click on malicious links sent by email from supposedly trusted entities.Once a computer was infected,
the group stole personal banking information which was used to transfer funds.A network of money launderers - targeted by the NCA and
Britain's Metropolitan Police - were then utilised to funnel the criminal proceeds to members of Evil Corp
Eight members of this network have been sentenced to a total of over 40 years in prison.Image copyrightNCAImage caption
The NCA alleges that Maksim Yakubets spent £250,000 on his wedding
US authorities said Mr Yakubets was also involved in a
similar scheme using another form of malware - known as Zeus - which stole $70m from victims' bank accounts.The NCA alleged that Maksim
Yakubets spent more than £250,000 ($328,971) of criminal proceeds on his wedding
He is also said to drive a customised Lamborghini with a personalised number plate which reads "Thief" in Russian
In a separate statement, the US Treasury alleged that, since 2017, Mr Yakubets had worked on projects for the Russian state, including the
theft of confidential documents and "cyber-enabled operations".The department said it had rolled out sanctions against 17 individuals and
seven "entities," including businesses associated with a member of the group.A $5m reward has been offered for information leading to their
The US Department of Justice said the amount was the largest offered for a cyber criminal to date
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