DOJ claims ransomware gang used Russian government databases for corruption and draft dodging

Prosecutors say stolen access let leaders dodge taxes and draft

U.S. prosecutors allege a ransomware gang gained access to Russian government databases and used that foothold to support corruption and financial evasion. The DOJ claims the group’s leaders leveraged the scheme to avoid paying taxes and even dodge Russia’s military draft, escalating the case from cybercrime to alleged state-linked wrongdoing.