An Estonian national, Andrey Shevlyakov, has been charged in the United States for purchasing US-made electronics and computer hacking tools on behalf of the Russian government and military. The indictment states that Shevlyakov did business through several Estonian-based shell companies that he and his co-conspirators used to export microelectronics from the US to Estonia. These items were then shipped to Russia in order to circumvent export regulations.
According to the indictment, Shevlyakov was placed on a ban list in 2012 for procuring and delivering export-restricted items to Russia. To evade the restrictions, he used false names and shell companies to order items and pay for them. These items included integrated circuits, low-noise pre-scalers, resistors, synthesizers, analog-to-digital converters, and software-defined radio.
The indictment also mentions that Shevlyakov attempted to acquire a licensed copy of Metasploit Pro, a US-made penetration testing tool. This tool is highly popular and has been abused by malicious actors. Consequently, it is not available for purchase in Russia. Between 2012 and 2022, Shevlyakov is said to have exported at least $800,000 worth of US electronics.
The goods were smuggled into Russia through an “intricate logistics operation”, according to the US Department of Justice. If convicted, Shevlyakov faces up to 20 years in prison.
In conclusion, an Estonian national has been charged in the US for purchasing US-made electronics and computer hacking tools on behalf of the Russian government and military. The man, Andrey Shevlyakov, was placed on a ban list in 2012 for procuring and delivering export-restricted items to Russia. He is said to have exported at least $800,000 worth of US electronics between 2012 and 2022. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Key Points:
• An Estonian national, Andrey Shevlyakov, has been charged in the US for purchasing US-made electronics and computer hacking tools on behalf of the Russian government and military.
• Shevlyakov was placed on a ban list in 2012 for procuring and delivering export-restricted items to Russia.
• He is said to have exported at least $800,000 worth of US electronics between 2012 and 2022.
• He attempted to acquire a licensed copy of Metasploit Pro, a US-made penetration testing tool.
• If convicted, Shevlyakov faces up to 20 years in prison.