Ukrainian Man Arrested for $4.4M Cryptojacking Scheme Targeting Global Servers
Suspect Exploited Hosting Provider to Mine Crypto Undetected
Ukrainian authorities have arrested a 35-year-old man from the Poltava region, accused of orchestrating a large-scale cryptojacking operation that compromised thousands of online accounts tied to a global hosting provider.
The operation, active since at least 2018, involved hijacking computing power from remote servers to mine cryptocurrency—causing an estimated $4.4 million in damages.
Over 5,000 Accounts Compromised in Years-Long Operation
According to Ukraine’s cyber police, the suspect exploited server vulnerabilities to install mining software on over 5,000 customer accounts. These actions went undetected for years, allowing him to mine cryptocurrency using stolen computing resources.
Investigators say he repeatedly changed his location across various regions in Ukraine to evade detection and capture.
Crypto Wallets, Hacking Tools, and Credentials Seized
Authorities raided the suspect’s premises, seizing a trove of digital evidence. Confiscated items included crypto wallets, credentials from compromised systems, hacking utilities, and unauthorized mining software. Investigators also uncovered the suspect’s active participation in underground hacking forums.
Facing 15 Years in Prison and a Ban from Tech Roles
The suspect has been charged with illegal interference in information systems—a serious cybercrime under Ukrainian law that carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a lifetime professional ban from any position involving access to communication or IT systems.
Officials note that additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Part of a Global Surge in Cryptojacking Cases
This case is part of a broader rise in global cryptojacking incidents. Just last month, U.S. authorities indicted a suspect accused of illicitly mining nearly $1 million worth of crypto using stolen cloud infrastructure.
As digital threats grow more sophisticated, law enforcement agencies worldwide are intensifying efforts to crack down on cryptojack
ing and similar cybercrimes.
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