A Latvian-born man was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in federal prison on Monday for his role in a ransomware operation that stole millions of dollars from victims.
Deniss Zolotarjovs, 35, was a part of the Karakurt, TommyLeaks, and SchoolBoys ransomware groups that carried out cyberattacks worth approximately $56 million, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Zolotarjovs worked as a negotiator, demanding payments ranging from $25,000 to $13 million and earning approximately 10% of the revenues, usually in cryptocurrency.
According to investigators, Zolotarjovs contacted the FBI and offered information about the group in exchange for $365,000. In 2023, agents detained him in Georgia after setting up a meeting.
“With this sentence, a cruel, ruthless, and dangerous international cybercriminal is now behind bars,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Deniss Zolotarjovs helped his ransomware gang profit from hacks of dozens of companies, and even on a government entity whose 911 system was forced offline. He also used stolen children’s health information to increase his leverage to extort victim payments. The Criminal Division will continue to investigate and prosecute international hackers and extortionists from around the world, no matter where they live or operate.”
Zolotarjovs pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and wire fraud.
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