14 DAY TRIAL // US authorities have officially indicted Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich Nikulin, 29, a Russian national, for hacking Dropbox, Formspring, and LinkedIn.
Nikulin was detained in Prague, the Czech Republic, on October 5, following an international arrest warrant issued through Interpol. News of his arrest came out only last week. Authorities are waiting for a Czech court to decide on his extradition to the US.
All hacks took place in 2012
According to a criminal complaint, Nikulin had hacked all companies in the spring and summer of 2012. More exactly, he gained access to Dropbox's network between May 14, 2012, and July 25, 2012; Formspring between June 13, 2012, and June 29, 2012; and LinkedIn between March 3 and March 4, 2012.
Authorities say that Nikulin also gained access to credentials belonging to LinkedIn and Formspring employees, which facilitated the hacks.
The hacker is alleged to have stolen details on over 68 million Dropbox users and over 117 million LinkedIn members.
After taking data from the three companies, FBI investigators said Nikulin worked with at least three unnamed co-conspirators to sell and trade the stolen data.
Nikulin lived large based on his prodigious hacking
A Radio Free Europe editorial highlights Nikulin's extravagant lifestyle that he financed using his hacking activities. Nikulin bought several luxury cars, expensive watches, and traveled around Europe.
In an interview with Russia site AutoRambler, Nikulin admitted to owning a Lamborghini Huracan, a Bentley, a Continental GT, and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
US officials charged Nikulin with three counts of computer intrusion; two counts of intentional transmission of information, code, or command causing damage to a protected computer; two counts of aggravated identity theft; one count of trafficking in unauthorized access devices; and one count of conspiracy.
According to the maximum penalties for each count, Nikulin faces up to 32 years in prison and huge fines exceeding $1 million.
Below is a video of Nikulin's arrest released by Czech police following his capture.
