Cybersecurity

Estonian Citizen Charged in US to Acquire Electronics and Metasploit Pro for Russian Military


April 10, 2023Ravie LakshmananHacking / Cyber ​​Threat Tools

An Estonian citizen has charged in the US for purchasing US-made electronics on behalf of the Russian government and military.

The 45 year old individual, Andrey Shevlyakov, was arrested on March 28, 2023 in Tallinn. He has been charged with 18 counts of conspiracy and other counts. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Court documents allege that Shevlyakov operated a front company that used to import sensitive electronics from US manufacturers. The goods are then shipped to Russia, bypassing export restrictions.

Items purchased include analog-to-digital converters and pre-scalers and low-noise synthesizers found in defense systems. Shevlyakov was also accused of trying to acquire hacking tools such as Rapid7 Metasploit Pro, a legitimate enemy simulation and penetration testing software.

Although Shevlyakov was placed on the Entity List in 2012 by the US government for acting as a procurement agent for Russia, he is said to have used “false names and a network of front companies” to circumvent regulations and run “complicated logistics operations involving frequent smuggling trips across Russian borders.” .”

Shevlyakov is estimated to have exported at least $800,000 worth of goods from US electronics manufacturers and distributors between about October 2012 and January 2022 through his shell companies such as Yaxart, Anmarna and Marnik.

“As alleged, for more than a decade, the defendants have acquired sensitive electronics from US manufacturers on behalf of the Russian government, contrary to US export controls,” said US Attorney Breon Peace.

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