The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Russian company Operation Zero and related individuals for trading stolen technology purchased with millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. The technology was designed for use by the U.S. government at a defense contractor, and an employee of that contractor allegedly stole it and sold it to Operation Zero.
OFAC sanctioned the Russian company Operation Zero. The allegations relate to their purchase and resale of technology designed for use by the U.S. government with millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, and the individuals behind the scheme. Operation Zero recruited hackers and sought to develop business relationships with foreign intelligence through social media.
The allegations state that the tools were offered for sale to those seeking to exploit computer software vulnerabilities. OFAC stated that cryptocurrency was used in the transactions, though no specific wallet addresses were named. The tools traded by Sergey Zelenyuk and Operation Zero were reportedly stolen by Australian national Peter Williams.
Williams previously worked for a defense contractor that produced software for the U.S. government and certain allies. Williams pleaded guilty last year. OFAC’s sanctions block Americans from engaging in any business with the designated persons or their networks.
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