14 DAY TRIAL // An additional 5 individuals have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in an international cybercriminal operation in which a total of $45 million (€33 million) were stolen.
The suspects, alleged members of the New York-based cell, are Anthony Diaz, 24, Saul Franjul, 23, Saul Genao, 24, Jaindhi Polanco, 29, and Jose Angeley Valerio, 25. Earlier this month, three other members of the same criminal ring pleaded guilty.
The defendants are said to have taken part in a couple of massive cyberheists. The first operation targeted prepaid debit card accounts at the National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah PSC (RAKBANK).
In December 2012, the attackers compromised the accounts and removed withdrawal limits. They utilized the stolen information to make 4,500 fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs located in 20 countries. The total losses in this attack amount to $5 million (€3.7 million).
The second operation, which took place in February 2013, targeted accounts at Bank Muscat in Oman. On this occasion, a total of $40 million (€30 million) were stolen. Most of the money was handed over to the scheme’s masterminds.
Diaz, Franjul, Genao, Polanco, and Valerio are said to have coordinated the team of people responsible for making ATM withdrawals in the New York area.
“As alleged, just a few months ago, after exploiting cyber-weaknesses in the financial system to steal millions from ATMs, these defendants were packing bags to the brim with stolen cash, destined for the cybercriminal organizers of these attacks,” stated US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta E. Lynch.
“Today, we have sent them packing once again – but this time, to jail. We will not relent until all those responsible for these financially devastating cybercrimes are brought to justice.”
Each of the suspects has been charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud. They face up to 7.5 years in prison.