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

  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • New Report Says 1 in 5 SMBs Would Be Forced to Shutter After Successful Cyberattack

    Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, making up 99.9% of all businesses and contributing to half of the nation's GDP. However, these vital economic growth drivers face an escalating threat—cyberattacks that could put them out of business. Read Now

  • The Yellow Brick Road

    The road to and throughout Wednesday's and Thursday's ISC West was crowded but it was amazing. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • An Inside Look From Napco at ISC West

    Get a look into the excitement at ISC West 2025 from Napco. Hear from some of their top-tech executives live from the show floor. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • Upping the Ante

    I am not a betting man in terms of cards, dice, blackjack or that wheel with the black marble racing around the circumference of a spinning wheel, but I would bet on the success of ISC West this year. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.