DOJ Seizes Over $24 Million in Cryptocurrency Tied to Qakbot Malware

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint aiming to seize nearly $24 million in cryptocurrency linked to the notorious Qakbot malware. This action targets Rustam Rafailevich Gallyamov, a Russian national accused of developing the malicious botnet. The seizure follows a federal indictment unsealed on May 22nd, charging Gallyamov as the mastermind behind the Qakbot scheme. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to combating cybercrime, asserting their determination to hold cybercriminals accountable and leverage all legal tools available for investigation and disruption.