Evgeniy Bogachev is one of the most wanted criminals in America. On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a $3 million award for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the infamous Russian hacker. Bogachev is accused of illegally obtaining bank account numbers and passwords, which were used to steal an estimated $100 million.
Although Evgeniy Bogachev is thought to be living in Russia, authorities confirmed a majority of his victims were residents of the United States.
As discussed by the U.S. Department of State, Bogachev is accused of installing “malicious software on more than one million computers without authorization.”
The malware, called “GameOver Zeus” or “Zeus,” gathered information from victims’ computers, and used that information to gain access to business and personal bank accounts.
Although the malicious software was eventually identified, and Bogachev’s servers were shut down, the Russian hacker stole more than $100 million from his victims’ bank accounts.
As a result, Evgeniy Bogachev is now wanted on federal charges of bank fraud, computer hacking, conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, conspiracy to violate the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, money laundering, racketeering, and wire fraud.
The Russian hacker is described as a 32-year-old Caucasian male, with brown eyes. Although his hair is also brown, Bogachev usually keeps his head shaved. As reported by the F.B.I., the wanted man is approximately 5’9? tall and weighs an estimated 180 pounds .
Evgeniy Bogachev: The shaven-headed hacker who likes to go boating around the Black Sea http://t.co/mpiYZFLdLb
— Graham Cluley (@gcluley) February 25, 2015
Online, Bogachev has used the monikers “lucky 12345,” “Pollingsoon,” and “slavic.” Although his specific whereabouts are unknown, authorities believe he is currently living in Russia. Evgeniy Bogachev owns property in Anapa and Krasndar, Russia. However, he may be on a boat or living in a village along the Black Sea.
Although Bogachev remains one of the United States’ most wanted cyber-criminals, his capture and arrest are unlikely. As the United States and Russia do not have an extradition treaty, Russian officials are not expected to cooperate with the investigation.
Last week, an officer with Anapa’s central police station refused to discuss whether local authorities issued a warrant for Bogachev’s arrest. However, he did say that he would “pin a medal” on the hacker if he could.
Evgeniy Bogachev named by FBI as the biggest new threat to America’s banking system, but he is hailed as a hero… http://t.co/SUtwpNZCgQ
— Wasfe Tahir Ali (@Wasfe) June 7, 2014
Within his community, the Russian hacker is being hailed as a hero. As reported by Telegraph , a former neighbor called Bogachev a “talented guy” who managed to hack into the “enemies’ camp, but did not harm his fellow Russians.”
Taxi driver Vazgen Atanasov has a similar opinion about the wanted man.
“What a great dude. Judging by what Americans do to other people, what Bogachev is said to have done to them serves them right.”
Evgeniy Bogachev will likely evade capture while on Russian soil. However, U.S. authorities are still offering a hefty award for information leading to his arrest.
[Image via Business Insider ]
