British Hacker Jailed for Role in Russian Crime Group

According to authorities, Zain Qaiser would pose as a legitimate ad broker to buy online advertising unit from pornographic websites.

Dark Reading Staff, Dark Reading

April 9, 2019

1 Min Read
Dark Reading logo in a gray background | Dark Reading

A British hacker who worked for a Russian crime syndicate has been sentenced to six years and five months in jail after a National Crime Agency (UK) investigation. Zain Qaiser was found to have received at least £700,000 (US$914,105) from his activities involving blackmail and malware, which began in 2012 and continued through 2018.

According to authorities, Qaiser would pose as a legitimate ad broker to buy online advertising unit from pornographic websites. He would then use the space to post ads that would direct victims to websites hosting malware, including the Angler Exploit Kit (AEK) and Reveton ransomware. Victims would pay blackmail and data ransoms using cryptocurrency that would then be laundered through a complex series of global transactions.

Authorities said Qaiser spent most of the funds he received on stays in high-end hotels, prostitutes, gambling, drugs, and luxury items.

Qaiser admitted to 11 offenses, including blackmail, fraud, money laundering, and computer misuse. He was jailed at Kingston Crown Court.

Read more here.

 

INT19-Logo-HorizDates-3035.png

 

 

 

Join Dark Reading LIVE for two cybersecurity summits at Interop 2019. Learn from the industry's most knowledgeable IT security experts. Check out the Interop agenda here.

About the Author

Dark Reading Staff

Dark Reading

Dark Reading is a leading cybersecurity media site.

Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox.

You May Also Like


More Insights