Category Archives: Naama Issachar

Lawmakers Probe Early Release of Top RU Cybercrook

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Aleksei Burkov, a cybercriminal who long operated two of Russia’s most exclusive underground hacking forums, was arrested in 2015 by Israeli authorities. The Russian government fought Burkov’s extradition to the U.S. for four years — even arresting and jailing an Israeli woman to force a prisoner swap. That effort failed: Burkov was sent to America, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to nine years in prison. But a little more than a year later, he was quietly released and deported back to Russia. Now some Republican lawmakers are asking why a Russian hacker once described as “an asset of supreme importance” was allowed to shorten his stay. Continue reading Lawmakers Probe Early Release of Top RU Cybercrook→

Convicted scammer who had starring role in dispute between Russia, Israel unexpectedly deported

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A convicted Russian scammer who was the focus of an international standoff was deported to his home country 14 months after receiving a long prison sentence in the U.S., Russian media reported. Officers from Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs detained Aleksei Burkov at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow following his deportation from the U.S., the state-owned media conglomerate RIA reported on Sept. 28. The move comes after an American court sentenced Burkov to nine years in a U.S. prison after he pleaded guilty to charges related to operating two illicit web forums that hackers used to trade stolen data and pool their resources. Israeli authorities initially arrested Burkov in November 2015, sparking a legal fight over extradition between Russia, Israel and the U.S. Kremlin officials spent years trying to convince an Israeli judge to send Burkov to Russia, where he reportedly faces separate charges. When it became clear that Israeli would put […]

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Russian Cybercrime Boss Burkov Gets 9 Years

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A well-connected Russian hacker once described as “an asset of supreme importance” to Moscow was sentenced on Friday to nine years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to running a site that sold stolen payment card data, and to administering a highly secretive crime forum that counted among its members some of the most elite Russian cybercrooks. Continue reading Russian Cybercrime Boss Burkov Gets 9 Years→

Admitted Russian scammer Aleksei Burkov sentenced to 9 years by US court

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A U.S. judge has sentenced an admitted Russian scammer to nine years in prison, marking the likely end of a years-long legal saga that has involved secretive cybercriminal forums, high-level political negotiations and a proposed prisoner swap. Aleksei Burkov, 30, appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Va., to hear his sentence. The normally clean-cut Burkov appeared unshaven and with longer hair and wearing a mask as he spoke to the court through a translator. “I repent for my actions and regret my behavior in the past,” he said in a low voice. “In my childhood I met some hackers and I chose the wrong path. Only in jail did I realize how much of a wrong path my life took.” The 108-month sentence will incorporate time already served, meaning Burkov likely will spend another four and a half years in prison before he is released. The Russian man pleaded guilty in January to […]

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Russian Cybercrime Boss Burkov Pleads Guilty

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Aleksei Burkov, an ultra-connected Russian hacker once described as “an asset of supreme importance” to Moscow, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to running a site that sold stolen payment card data and to administering a highly secretive crime forum that counted among its members some of the most elite Russian cybercrooks. Continue reading Russian Cybercrime Boss Burkov Pleads Guilty→

Accused scammer Burkov to plead guilty to ‘some’ charges after extradition dispute

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A Russian man who has spent months at the center of an international political dispute is slated to plead guilty to hacking-related charges this week in Virginia. Aleksei Burkov faces criminal counts including access device fraud and conspiracy to commit identity theft in connection with allegedly operating two cybercriminal forums where visitors bought and sold stolen information worth $20 million. The 29-year-old initially pleaded not guilty during his first appearance in the Eastern District Court of Virginia, though a change-of-plea hearing now is scheduled for Jan. 23. “He will be pleading [guilty] to some, but not all of the original charges,” said Gregory Stambuagh, Burkov’s defense attorney. He declined further comment. Burkov was arrested in Israel in 2015, then extradited to the U.S. in November 2019 after exhausting his appeals. The  St. Petersburg native operated two hacking forums, Cardplanet.cc and Direct Connection, according to court documents filed last week. Through Cardplanet, Burkov […]

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Alleged Russian scammer appears in U.S. court after extradition battle

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A Russian man accused of hacking-related crimes made his first public appearance in federal court Tuesday since being extradited from Israel. Aleksei Burkov, 29, was in the Eastern District Court of Virginia to face allegations including the sale of stolen credit card information, identity theft and money laundering. His presence in court represented a victory for U.S. officials who convinced Israeli judges to send Burkov to the U.S. rather than to Russia. Burkov allegedly operated a website caled “Cardplanet” where scammers could buy and sell information on more than 150,000 credit cards. Damages to American victims totaled roughly $20 million, U.S. officials said in the extradition request. To join Cardplanet, potential members needed three existing members to vouch for their trustworthiness and to provide a cash payment, typically $5,000, the Justice Department said. Burkov faces 80 years in prison if convicted on all counts. “They were heavy, heavy into cybercrime,” […]

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Alleged Russian hacker at center of international dispute poised for extradition to U.S.

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An accused Russian cybercriminal arrested in Israel four years ago is scheduled to be extradited to the U.S. despite ongoing efforts by the Kremlin to bring him home. Israeli Justice Minister Amir Ohana signed an order on Wednesday to send Aleksey Burkov, 29, to the U.S. to face hacking-related charges in a Virginia court, Haaretz first reported. Prosecutors have reportedly charged Burkov, a St. Petersburg native, with running a website where thieves could buy and sell stolen credit card information, along with identity theft and money laundering, per Haaretz. As the extradition request moved forward, Russian authorities arrested an Israeli woman, Naama Issachar, for allegedly carrying marijuana in a Moscow airport earlier this year. Russian state media suggested in October the Kremlin would swap Issachar in exchange for Burkov. A Russian court ultimately sentenced the 26-year-old woman to more than seven years in prison, a punishment her family described as […]

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