OFAC, an agency under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has sanctioned Aeza Group and three entities related to cybercrime activities using cryptocurrency, especially stealth hosting services (BPH) supporting ransomware and black markets.

MAIN CONTENT

  • OFAC sanctions Aeza Group – a stealth hosting provider in Russia linked to ransomware and information theft.

  • Three subsidiaries and four individuals involved are also listed under sanctions for supporting global cybercrime activities.

  • Aeza provides infrastructure for ransomware groups and large-scale darknet markets, threatening U.S. cybersecurity.

What is OFAC and what is their role in sanctioning Aeza Group?

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Treasury responsible for monitoring and imposing economic sanctions to protect national security.

Recently, OFAC listed Aeza Group, a stealth hosting provider (BPH) in Russia, on the sanctions list for supporting malicious cyber activities attacking multiple countries, including the U.S. Mr. Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury stated: “Cybercriminals continue to rely on BPH providers like Aeza Group to carry out ransomware attacks, steal technology, and trade illicit substances online.”

“Cybercriminals continue to rely heavily on BPH service providers like Aeza Group to facilitate disruptive ransomware attacks, steal U.S. technology, and sell black-market drugs.”

Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2024

Which organizations and individuals related to Aeza Group have been sanctioned?

OFAC also imposed sanctions on three related entities: Aeza International Ltd (based in the UK with a branch in Russia), Aeza Logistics LLC, and Cloud Solutions LLC.

The individuals involved include 4 key people: Arsenii Aleksandrovich Penzev (CEO & 33% shareholder of Aeza Group), Yurii Meruzhanovich Bozoyan (Director and 33% shareholder), Vladimir Vyacheslavovich Gast (Technical Director), Igor Anatolyevich Knyazev (33% shareholder).

How has OFAC acted to prevent the criminal activities of Aeza and related parties?

According to a report by TRM Labs, a cryptocurrency wallet address on the TRON network linked to payments for Aeza Group has received over $350,000, which has been placed on OFAC's watchlist. The U.S. Department of the Treasury is committed to continuing steps to prevent cybercrime and protect national security.

What other illegal activities is Aeza Group involved in?

OFAC identifies Aeza Group as supporting infrastructure for the darknet market BlackSprut, which received over $900 million into its system. This market has been linked to the trafficking of fentanyl, a particularly dangerous narcotic.

The group also provides services for ransomware organizations like BianLian, with ransom amounts received exceeding $2 million. Aeza also supports information theft campaigns through infostealer software like Meduza and Luma.

“Aeza Group provides infrastructure for many ransomware groups and large-scale darknet markets, significantly contributing to high-tech criminal activities.”

Analysis by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2024

How can cryptocurrency investors protect themselves from risks related to Aeza and cybercriminals?

In light of increasingly sophisticated cyber attack methods, investors need to strictly adhere to security guidelines and be cautious of overly attractive offers. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and many federal agencies are working closely to protect cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms.

Updating knowledge, using cold wallets, and multi-layer authentication (2FA) are basic but essential steps to mitigate the risk of asset theft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OFAC and why do they sanction Aeza Group? OFAC is the U.S. economic sanctions agency, sanctioning Aeza for supporting cybercrime and ransomware attacks affecting many countries. What type of crime is Aeza Group involved in? Aeza provides stealth hosting for ransomware, infostealers, and darknet markets related to drug trafficking and personal data. Will the related cryptocurrency wallet be affected? OFAC has placed the TRON wallet related to Aeza on the watchlist to block illegal funds, reducing the risk of spread. What measures help protect cryptocurrency assets? Investors should use cold wallets, multi-layer authentication, and avoid opaque investment solicitations to protect their assets. Will OFAC continue to deal with other cybercriminals? OFAC and the U.S. Department of the Treasury are expanding efforts to prevent cybercrime groups and black markets on a global scale.

Source: https://tintucbitcoin.com/ofac-my-trung-phat-cong-ty-nga-hacker/

Thank you for reading this article!

Please Like, Comment, and Follow TinTucBitcoin to stay updated with the latest news about the cryptocurrency market and not miss any important information!