Hacker Sentenced After Using Fake Ads to Spread Malware

Hacker Sentenced After Using Fake Ads to Spread Malware

FBI Cyber arrests hacker using fake advertisements.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Oct 17, 2018

A hacker who used fake advertisements placed on local newspaper websites to spread malware has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after sitting on the FBI Cyber's Most Wanted list for five years. 

Investigators found that associates of Peteris Sahurovs, including his wife, created a fake advertising company, known as RevolTech Marketing, and contacted a local news website to purchase advertising for their "client," a well-known American hotel chain. (According to the FBI, the hotel chain knew nothing about the scam.)

RevolTech created an advertisement for the hotels that redirected to what appeared to be a legitimate site. The hackers then swapped out the ad to one that would direct computers to a malware-infected website instead. The malware was installed whether or not the user clicked on the ad. Once infected, the only way users could remove the malware was to purchase a fake anti-virus software - a cost of $49.95. 

"You didn't have to interact with the website at all or click anything," FBI Special Agent Robert Cameron said in a news report. "There's nothing the user could have done to prevent it. The pop-ups would keep. coming to the point that you couldn't do anything on the computer. You'd have to click the link and buy the software."

Between the $50 (fake) anti-virus program and the hacker's fraudulent use of several of the victims' credit cards after the purchase, as well as the failure to pay for the website "ads", the overall scam cost victims an estimated $2 million. While the exact number of victims is not known, many believed to be in the Minneapolis area because of the nature of the website.

After sitting on the FBI Cyber's Most Wanted list, Sahurovs was arrested in Poland and extradited to the United States to face charges. In February, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and just last month was sentenced to 33 months in prison. 



About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.