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Citadel Botnet Operator Gets 4.5 Years In Prison

Posted by Soulskill on from the in-the-jailhouse-now dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that Dimitry Belorossov, a.k.a. Rainerfox, an operator of the "Citadel" malware, has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison following a guilty plea. Citadel was a banking trojan capable of stealing financial information. Belorossov and others distributed it through spam emails and malvertising schemes. He operated a 7,000-strong botnet with the malware, and also collaborated to improve it. The U.S. government estimates Citadel was responsible for $500 million in losses worldwide. Belorossov will have to pay over $320,000 in restitution.

3 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. the penalty is way to light by liquid_schwartz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For the damage and grief he caused people I'd be happy if he was locked up and the key thrown away. 4.5 years is far too light.

  2. He should have incorporated by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    He should have incorporated his business. Then he could have just apologized as CEO and given himself a huge severance package as he walked out the door.

  3. Re:Hmmm by rmdingler · · Score: 3, Insightful
    He purchased and downloaded a Citadel banking trojan.

    He's 22 now... so kitty or hacker? IDK.

    He was wrong, he is certainly a thief, and should be punished; but he's not responsible for anywhere near the whole Citadel fiasco.

    --
    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

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