Bayrob virus – a cryptocurrency mining software

Two members of the Romanian hackers group Bayrob Group have been sentenced to twenty years in prison in the USA. They were found guilty of fraud, identity theft and money laundering after using malware to mine cryptocurrencies.

The Bayrob Group was founded in 2007 and operates from Bucharest. Bogdan Nicolescu, Radu Miclaus and
Tiberiu Danet was extradited to the US in 2016. In November 2018, Danet pleaded guilty to eight charges. His sentencing is scheduled for January 8.

The leader of the group Bogdan Nicolescu, 37, and Radu Miclaus, of the same age, were sentenced this week to 20 and 18 years in prison respectively.

The Romanian hackers group developed a type of malware that was used to infect over 400,000 computers. They sent the Trojan via emails from companies such as Norton, IRS and Western Union.

Bayrob virus – cryptocurrency mining software

The Bayrob virus was later used to install cryptocurrency mining software Bitcoin and monero. The program also scanned and transferred ownership of victims’ crypto wallets, if they had one.

During the trial, the prosecutors demonstrated that the three collected personal data and sold them on the dark web. Investigators pointed out that they trafficked financial information, passwords and access to the computers of infected victims.

Investigators estimate that they managed to collect more than $ 4 million illegally.

“Today’s sentences underline the critical work done for the investigation and prosecution of those criminals who believe that the supposed anonymity of the Internet can hide their criminal activities”,

said US attorney Justin Herdman.

“Regardless of whether the offenders are in Romania or in the United States, these sentences send the clear and resonant message that offenses committed over the Internet will not remain unpunished.”