Evil Corp, a notorious cybercrime outfit, has been found to have close ties with the Russian state.
Intelligence officials allegedly ordered Evil Corp members to carry out cyberattacks on NATO members.
Many Evil Corp members had direct relationships with intelligence officials, particularly Maksim Yakubets.
Yakubets' father-in-law, a former FSB officer, played a key role in enabling the relationship between Evil Corp and the state.
Evil Corp is believed to have extorted at least $300 million since its formation in 2014.
In a revelation that has left the cybersecurity community reeling, new information has come to light about the extent of the ties between infamous cybercrime outfit Evil Corp and the Russian state. According to National Crime Agency (NCA) officials, the relationship between Evil Corp and Russia is so close that intelligence officials allegedly ordered the criminals to carry out cyberattacks on NATO members.
This bombshell claim is based on sources close to the ongoing investigation into Evil Corp and its members, who have revealed a web of deceit that goes all the way to the top of Russian intelligence. The targets of these alleged state-sponsored attacks are thought to have been multiple instances in which Russian intelligence services were working directly with Evil Corp members before the 2019 disruption of the group.
It has already been established that the now-disbanded Conti and Trickbot groups had close relationships with Russian intelligence, carrying out tasks related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, this latest revelation takes the story to a whole new level, exposing a network of connections between Evil Corp and Russian intelligence services that goes far beyond what is typical for state-organized crime ties.
According to the NCA, many members of Evil Corp had direct relationships with intelligence officials, although "ringleader" Maksim Yakubets was allegedly the primary liaison between the state and Evil Corp. Yakubets is associated with the three intelligence services: FSB, SVR, and GRU, claims the agency. It also alleges that his association may not have been as close had he not received a little help from a friend – his father-in-law, who just so happened to be a former FSB officer.
This family connection is at the heart of a larger web of deceit that involves multiple businesses carrying the Vympel name and was thought by the NCA to have been a key enabler of the privileged relationship between Evil Corp and the state. Benderskiy, Yakubets' father-in-law, is also believed to have lent his support to Evil Corp during the aftermath of the law enforcement disruption of the group in 2019.
The information follows a BBC investigation from 2021 in which Viktor Yakubets was doorstepped and quizzed about his son's various alleged criminal endeavors. He denied knowing anything about his son's alleged criminality and unsurprisingly made no mention of his own suspected involvement in Evil Corp either.
Authorities believe Evil Corp extorted at least $300 million since it spun up in 2014, with victims located in more than 40 countries and spanning various sectors. From big tech firms to charities, finance to healthcare – nothing was off limits. The investigation has shed new light on the extent of Evil Corp's success and its connections to the Russian state.
The revelation has sparked a renewed debate about the role of Russian intelligence services in facilitating cybercrime operations. It is a concern that has been raised by experts and policymakers for years, but this latest information takes it to a whole new level.
The NCA alleges that Yakubets' father-in-law owned multiple businesses carrying the Vympel name and was thought to have been a key enabler of the privileged relationship between Evil Corp and the state. This is a shocking revelation that raises questions about the extent of Russian involvement in facilitating cybercrime operations.
The investigation into Evil Corp's activities has revealed a complex web of deceit that goes all the way to the top of Russian intelligence services. It is a story that needs to be told, not just for its own sake but also because it highlights the broader issue of state-sponsored cybercrime and the need for greater international cooperation to tackle this growing threat.
In a world where cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, it is more crucial than ever to understand the extent of these threats. The revelation about Evil Corp's connections to Russian intelligence services is a stark reminder that the line between good and evil is often blurred in the world of cybercrime.
As we move forward into an increasingly complex and interconnected world, it is essential that we continue to investigate and expose these types of operations. It is only through understanding the extent of these threats that we can begin to develop effective strategies to tackle them.
