Russian hacker behind massive data breach pleads guilty

A RUSSIAN MAN CALLED Vladimir Drinkman has pleaded guilty to charges associated with the theft of data from a large number of USA firms, and is probably expecting some time away from home. He and the four other defendants in the case are accused of breaking into corporate computers – including those owned by NASDAQ, 7-Eleven, JCP, JetBlue, Dow Jones, Visa Jordan, Diners Singapore and Ingenicard – and stealing over 160 million credit card numbers from as far back as 2003.

Vladimir Drinkman, 34, of Moscow, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Camden to one count each of conspiracy to commit unauthorized access to protected computers and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

“This hacking ring’s widespread attacks on American companies caused serious harm and more than $300 million in losses to people and businesses in the United States”, said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.

Drinkman fought extradition to the USA from a Dutch prison for 2 1/2 years.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman says the case is the largest computer hacking scheme ever prosecuted anywhere in the world.

The breach, the authorities said, resulted in more than $300 million in losses.

He may get a lesser term reflecting his “recognition and affirmative acceptance of personal responsibility”, according to his plea agreement. Kalinin, Kotov and Rytikov remain at large.

Another defendant, Mikhail Rytikov, 28, of Odessa, allegedly ran the anonymous web-hosting services, while Dmitriy Smilianets, 32, of Moscow, allegedly sold the information stolen by the other conspirators. Gonzalez is now serving 20 years in federal prison for those offenses.

Roman Seleznev, the son of Russian Duma deputy Valery Seleznev, is also in USA custody and has been charged as part of a computer hacking team that stole hundreds of thousands of credit card numbers.

According to the Department of Justice, the hacker group would monitor the victims’ computer systems for months and then use the SQL database vulnerabilities they spot to infiltrate their networks. The buyers then sold the dumps through online forums or directly to individuals and organizations.

Despite being in United States of America custody, Smilyanets has managed to set up an online webpage that takes bitcoin donations for what he says is a defense fund for his legal expenses.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, Drinkman answered a litany of questions in court during an hour-long hearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle.