New details around “Operation Magnus” were released, reflecting significant developments in the international crackdown against the RedLine and META infostealer malware platforms.
Following the seizure of infrastructure announced yesterday, U.S. authorities have unsealed a federal complaint against Maxim Rudometov, the alleged administrator of RedLine, and outlined ongoing investigations into the vast stolen data cache retrieved from the operation.
Additional updates include the removal of multiple Telegram channels and further actions coordinated by the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), backed by Europol and Eurojust, underscoring the global scale of this operation.
Arrests and charges
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed charges against Rudometov, allegedly a primary figure in the development and operation of RedLine. Based in Russia, Rudometov reportedly managed the malware's infrastructure, facilitated financial transactions, and maintained connections to various cryptocurrency accounts associated with malware payments. He now faces federal charges, including:
- Access Device Fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1029
- Conspiracy to Commit Computer Intrusion under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030 and 371
- Money Laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956
If convicted, Rudometov could face up to 10 years in prison for device fraud, five years for conspiracy, and 20 years for money laundering. The charges detail his central role in both the technical and financial aspects of RedLine's operations, making him a critical figure in the infrastructure of one of the most widely deployed infostealer platforms.
Operation and infrastructure seizure
During Operation Magnus, a coalition of law enforcement from six nations, coordinated by Eurojust, dismantled RedLine and META by seizing three command servers in the Netherlands, alongside two domains integral to their operations. With support from the FBI's Austin Cyber Task Force, Belgian authorities detained two suspects, one of whom was later released while the other remains in custody under further investigation.
Team Cybercrime Limburg from the Dutch National Police played a pivotal role in identifying and mapping the malware's infrastructure, following an initial lead from cybersecurity firm ESET. After discovering over 1,200 servers running RedLine and META worldwide, Dutch authorities alerted Eurojust, initiating the joint operation. Evidence collected included stolen credentials, browser-stored data, and authentication cookies, all packaged into logs resold on cybercrime marketplaces.
In a significant blow to RedLine and META's operations, Operation Magnus has successfully taken down several Telegram channels used to communicate with affiliates, sell licenses, and support customers of both infostealers. This takedown has disrupted critical sales channels and eliminated a primary mode of anonymous, encrypted communication, thereby limiting the malware's reach and operational flexibility.
Security measures for potential victims
An online tool launched by cybersecurity firm ESET enables individuals to check if their data was compromised by either RedLine or META. Potential victims are advised to:
- Reset passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on affected accounts.
- Monitor financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
- Remove saved credentials from browsers to mitigate future risks from residual malware infections.
For enhanced security, users are encouraged to download software only from verified sources, keep antivirus software active, and be wary of unexpected messages or too-good-to-be-true offers.
The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs and Eurojust continue to work with affected countries on further investigations, leaving the door open for additional arrests and charges in the future.
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