DOJ Announces International Operation Against Redline And META Infostealers

According to Odaily, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday an international operation targeting the Redline and META infostealers, malicious software that has stolen sensitive information from millions of devices worldwide. The DOJ collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and multiple international agencies under the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (JCAT) of Europol in the 'Operation Magnus.' This operation, involving the Netherlands and Belgium, aims to dismantle the infrastructure of these infostealers by seizing domains, servers, and Telegram accounts used for their distribution and management. The DOJ highlighted that infostealers are a prevalent type of malware designed to steal sensitive information from victims' computers, including usernames and passwords, financial information, system information, cookies, and cryptocurrency accounts. Redline and META are distributed through a decentralized Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) model, allowing affiliates to purchase licenses and conduct independent operations using techniques such as phishing, malicious advertising, and fake software downloads. The stolen data, referred to as 'logs,' includes usernames, passwords, and financial data, which are often sold on dark web forums for further exploitation. Charges against Maxim Rudometov, the primary developer and administrator of Redline, have also been revealed. He faces accusations of device access fraud, conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, and money laundering. If convicted, Rudometov could face up to 35 years in prison.