Summary: A Romanian man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the NetWalker ransomware attacks, along with significant financial penalties. His actions contributed to the extortion of millions from various global victims, including critical infrastructure entities.
Threat Actor: Daniel Christian Hulea | Daniel Christian Hulea
Key Point :
- Hulea was sentenced to 20 years in prison and must forfeit $21.5 million in illicit gains.
- He was apprehended in Cluj, Romania, on a request from US authorities.
- Hulea admitted to charges of computer fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
- The NetWalker ransomware scheme targeted critical entities, including hospitals and law enforcement agencies.
- He extorted approximately 1,595 bitcoin, valued at around $21.5 million at the time.
A Romanian man has been sentenced to 20 years in a US prison for his role in the notorious NetWalker ransomware attacks. In addition, Daniel Christian Hulea has to forfeit $21.5 million in illicit proceeds and hand over his stake in an Indonesian business venture linked to a luxury resort property u,nder construction in Bali. The man has to pay almost $15 million in restitution to his victims.
Hulea was apprehended in Cluj on July 11, 2023, on a request from US authorities. He addmitted on June 20 to charges of computer fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
According to court documents, he confessed to having participated in a sophisticated ransomware operation that has targeted multiple victims worldwide, including critical entities such as hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and educational organizations.
Hulea’s role in the NetWalker scheme involved using ransomware to extort approximately 1,595 bitcoin, valued at around $21.5 million at the time of the payments. The funds were funneled into various ventures, including the financing of the luxury resort property in Bali.
Original Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/romanian-national-sentenced-20-years-prison-connection-netwalker-ransomware-attacks
Cyber Law and Cybercrime Investigation Blog: Immuniweb