FSB: Chelyabinsk Gang Set Up Hub to Access Social Media Accounts
In Chelyabinsk, four people were detained for organizing a scheme to gain access to Russians« accounts on social networks and messengers. As reported by the regional Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) on Thursday, 29 January, the gang carried out an order from fraudsters »from an unfriendly country«. They were caught jointly with the Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to preliminary data, it all started with an advertisement for part-time work in one of the messengers. When the guys agreed to perform the «task», they were given equipment (so-called SIM-boxes), batches of SIM cards, as well as money to rent apartments for placing that very communication hub.
«Employees of the cyber fraud combating department of the police jointly with the FSB identified a rented apartment where two SIM-boxes were installed. At the place of temporary residence, operatives also discovered and seized more than 340 SIM cards, a router, a laptop, and two plastic bank cards,» listed the police headquarters.
Each had their own role. Two detainees, aged 20 and 22, were servicing the SIM-boxes, activating SIM cards and replacing them as instructed by the «curators». A 23-year-old «courier» delivered SIM cards and handled apartment rentals—they changed them constantly to evade law enforcement. Their 25-year-old accomplice was an administrator, helping to set up the equipment remotely and dealing with payment issues.
A criminal case was opened against the guys for the illegal use of a virtual telephone station.
Under Part 2 of Article 274.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, various punishments are provided, from a fine of up to one million rubles (approximately $11,100 at current rates) to imprisonment for up to five years.
