An Iranian man, Sina Gholinejad, has pleaded guilty to cyber crimes involving Robbinhood ransomware, which extorted millions from US government agencies and organizations.
Gholinejad, 37, admitted to computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a North Carolina court. His attacks, which began in 2019 and continued until early 2025, targeted cities, healthcare systems, and businesses across the US.
“Gholinejad and his co-conspirators — all of whom were overseas — caused tens of millions of dollars in losses and disrupted essential public services,” said Matthew Galeotti of the US Justice Department.
He reportedly received payments in Bitcoin and laundered them using cryptocurrency mixers. Baltimore alone lost over $19 million due to his actions.
A warrant was issued in 2024, and he was arrested nearly a year later in North Carolina. He faces up to 30 years in prison and will be sentenced in August.
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