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Indictment of Russian for card data theft 'a serious warning to cybercriminals'

Among other crimes, Roman Valerevich Seleznev is charged with operating carding forums — websites where criminals gather to sell stolen credit card numbers.

August 14, 2014

“Cybercriminals should take heed: Distance will not protect you from the reach of justice. We will investigate, we will locate, and we will bring foreign hackers to stand trial."

This was the warning issued by U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan, upon the August 8 arraignment of Russian national Roman Valerevich Seleznev, aka “Track2,” 30, of Vladivostok, Russia.

Seleznev is charged with operating carding forums — websites where criminals gather to sell stolen credit card numbers — between October 2009 and February 2011, as well as hacking into retail POS systems and installing malicious software to steal credit card numbers.

The indictment against Seleznev includes 29 counts: five counts of bank fraud; eight counts of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer; eight counts of obtaining information from a protected computer without authorization; one count of possession, with intent to defraud, of 15 or more unauthorized access devices (stolen credit card numbers); two counts of trafficking in unauthorized access devices; and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

“This case will no doubt serve as a serious warning to cybercriminals,” said Secret Service Assistant Director Paul Morrissey of the Office of Investigations. "The Secret Service will partner with law enforcement worldwide and will not relent in the pursuit of transnational cyber criminals that try to exploit the U.S. financial payment systems."

Seleznev has entered a not guilty plea to all charges. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 6.