“World’s sexiest computer hacker” to be sentenced in US in April

© Rebecca Callahan, FBI

12:43 05/03/2013

NEW YORK, March 1 - RAPSI. The sentencing of Kristina Svechinskaya, widely dubbed the “world’s sexiest computer hacker,” has been postponed until April 19 in a case centering on her role in an international fraud scheme that used hundreds of sham bank accounts in order to steal upwards of $3 million, according to court documents obtained by RAPSI.

Her title is a bit of a misnomer as Svechinskaya has actually been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and false use of passports.

According to a DOJ press release, Svechinskaya was recruited by a criminal group to open false bank accounts into which approximately $35,000 in fraudulently acquired funds was deposited, and from which approximately $11,000 was withdrawn.

Computer hackers affiliated with the group were able to provide fake passports in order to facilitate the process.

Funds were withdrawn from dozens of US bank accounts that were victimized by Zeus Trojan malware.

According to the DOJ’s initial press release on the affair, Svechinskaya faces up to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and up to 10 years for the false use of passports.

Her sentencing was initially set for January 11, 2013 and then postponed to March 1, 2013 before the present postponement.

Svechinskaya’s attorney refused to comment when contacted by RAPSI.