The chief executive of Russian tech company Aeza Group has been arrested in Moscow on suspicion of leading a criminal organization and involvement in large-scale drug trafficking. According to Russian media reports, Bozoyan and fellow Aeza cofounder Arseny Penzev are also suspected of using Aeza to host the online drug marketplace BlackSprut. Cybersecurity researchers have previously linked Aeza to the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign known as Doppelgänger, which has been active in Europe since at least 2022. The network has published fake articles mimicking the websites of major Western media outlets, including Germany’s Der Spiegel and Britain’s The Guardian, in an effort to amplify Russian narratives and sow division in the West. Researchers also allege that Aeza has hosted cybercriminal infrastructure, including servers used by operators behind malware strains such as Lumma and Meduza. The company is believed to attract clients through darknet forums and operates similarly to so-called “bulletproof” hosting providers that shield illicit activity from law enforcement. The company is believed by cybersecurity researchers to have links to state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, as well as the country’s cybercriminal infrastructure. The trio faces accusations of participating in a criminal group and attempting to traffic narcotics, according to Russian court documents.
This Cyber News was published on therecord.media. Publication date: Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:05:29 +0000