OFAC Sanctions Russian Hosting Provider for calling in Crypto theft

On Tuesday, the US Department of Bureau of the Treasury of Foreign Assets Control Russian Bulletproof Hosting Provider AEZA Group punished for facilitating cyber criminal activities, including ransomware attacks and darknet drug markets aimed at victims worldwide, including in the US

“Cyber ​​criminals continue to rely on BPH service providers such as AEZA Group to facilitate disruptive ransomware attacks, to steal American technology and sell drugs on a black market,” said the treasury of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence Bradley T. Smith said in a one rack.

Bulletproof hosting providers offer technical infrastructure – such as servers and domains – that are resistant to law enforcement, allowing cyber criminals to work with impunity. The services are crucial enablers for ransomware operators, reference stealers and illegal market places.

According to Blockchain Instichtersbedrijf TRM Labs, OFAC’s promotion included The designation of a crypto address linked to AEZA Group that has received more than $ 350,000 in funds.

The wallet shows left to the sanctioned Exchange Garantex, as well as other cyber crime services, with regular cash woods to global crypto platforms. The secret service seized GARANTEX in March of this year.

AEZA Group, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, has organized infrastructure for ransomware groups, such as Bianlian, and Infeler -Operations, Including Meduza and Lumma.

It also supported Redline InfoStealer Panels and the notorious DarkNet Drug Marketplace Blacksprut, which act worldwide drugs, also in the US.

The Treasury said that the leadership team of Aeza Group CEO Arsenii Penzev and general director Yurii Bozoyan included, both who were previously arrested by the Russian authorities for organizing drug market.

Technical director Vladimir Gast and part-owner Igor Knezazev were also mentioned in the names.

OFAC has also punished three affiliated entities: the AEZA International Ltd, established in the United Kingdom. and his Russian subsidy, Aeza Logistic LLC and Cloud Solutions LLC.

The sanctions block all properties and interests of the designated parties in the US or under the control of American persons. American entities are generally forbidden to carry out transactions involving the appointed involvement, and violations can lead to civil or criminal punishments.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair