ATLANTA – As part of an international law enforcement effort, federal authorities seized internet domains that were used to sell computer malware used by cybercriminals to secretly access and steal data from victims’ computers. Federal authorities in Atlanta and Boston also unsealed indictments charging individuals in Malta and Nigeria, respectively, for their alleged involvement in selling the malware and supporting cybercriminals seeking to use the malware for malicious purposes.
“Daniel Meli will no longer escape accountability for his actions selling malware,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This alleged cybercriminal facilitated the takeover and infection of computers worldwide. Our office was proud to partner with our federal and international counterparts to find Meli and bring him to justice. We will continue to diligently investigate and prosecute cybercrime in the Northern District of Georgia, and in all parts of the globe where our district is impacted.”
“Daniel Meli not only profited off this malicious malware but took the extra step to train others on how to use it.” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Cybercriminals may believe they are beyond the reach of the FBI, but this case proves anyone who helps or profits from criminal cyber activity will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located. Our goal is to protect victims and safeguard our country from these dangerous actors.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Federal authorities in Boston seized www.warzone.ws and three related domains, which together offered for sale the Warzone RAT malware – a sophisticated remote access trojan (RAT) capable of enabling cybercriminals to surreptitiously connect to victims’ computers for malicious purposes. According to the court documents authorizing the seizures, the Warzone RAT provided cybercriminals the ability to browse victim file…
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