Computer Fraud, White collar crimes and cyber-crimes are some of the most complex crimes that a person can be accused of. A skilled cyber-crime & computer fraud criminal defense attorney must have legal expertise and technical knowledge to defend charges of complex cyber-crimes involving international computer networks.
A Chinese National indicted for allegedly running the world’s largest botnet network faces charges of substantive computer fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a maximum potential of 65 years in prison.
This complex scheme allegedly involved selling access to millions of malware-infected computers worldwide, enabling criminals over the world to steal billions of dollars, transmit bomb threats, and exchange child exploitation materials, some on the dark web. The malware allegedly compromised millions of Windows computers. The devices were associated with more than 19 million unique IP addresses, including 613,841 US based IP addresses.
The malware was disseminated through VPN programs like MaskVPN and DewVPN, as well as pay-per-install services bundling the malware with other software. Wang managed around 150 dedicated servers worldwide to control the infected devices and provide cybercriminals access to proxied IP addresses. The 911 S5 botnet was linked to significant financial crimes, including pandemic relief fraud, resulting in billions of dollars in losses.
Prosecutors say the scheme’s alleged ringleader, YunHe Wang, used nearly $100 million in profits to buy luxury cars, watches, and real estate.
The Botnet, known as the 911 S5 Botnet, infected computers in nearly 200 countries. Law enforcement pursued a highly sophisticated and large-scale operation to take down the alleged scheme. The multi agency effort was led by the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. Assets valued at approximately $30 million were seized, and additional forfeitable property worth $30 million were identified. The operation also seized 23 domains and over 70 serves.
911 S5 customers allegedly targeted certain pandemic relief programs including fraudulent PPP Loans. For example, the United States estimates that 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originated from compromised IP addresses, resulting in a confirmed fraudulent loss exceeding $5.9 billion. Additionally, in evaluating suspected fraud loss to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, the United States estimates that more than 47,000 EIDL applications originated from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5. Millions of dollars more were similarly identified by financial institutions in the United States as loss originating from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5.
Wang faces charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, substantive computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a potential maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Have you been charged with a complex scheme involving alleged conspiracy, computer fraud, white collar crimes and cyber-crimes? Then you need an attorney that has defended these complex crimes. A skilled cyber-crime & computer fraud criminal defense attorney must have legal expertise and technical knowledge to defend charges of complex cyber-crimes involving local and international computer networks. The attorneys at Dhar Law have the expertise and will take an aggressive approach and technical strategy to defend your rights. Please contact a member of the experienced Boston computer fraud criminal defense team at Dhar Law LLP at (617) 880-6155 to learn more.
