(AsiaGameHub) – Authorities in Russia are intensifying their campaign to dismantle operations that gather private information to register on unauthorized gambling websites.
These actions have led to the capture of solitary actors who utilize mobile devices to exchange compromised data and drain funds from the bank accounts of unaware victims.
According to reports from the local Tomsk media outlet Vtomske, investigators in Tomsk have pinpointed one such independent trader who has admitted to the alleged offenses.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the woman, whose name has not been released, used her mobile device to enter “restricted internet resources,” specifically dark web portals. She admitted to paying unidentified individuals for a batch of personal details belonging to 19 Russian citizens.
Officials from the FSB believe the information became available following a cyberattack.
Police State Hackers Gather Personal Information for Online Sales
Reports indicate the woman utilized this information to establish 19 distinct accounts on online gambling platforms from December 2024 through January 2025.
Subsequently, she tried to extract funds from these betting sites. Law enforcement officers noted that she also gathered additional personal data on her device before transferring it to an unidentified third party.
The FSB announced charges against the woman for the “unlawful gathering, keeping, and transmission of digital files containing personal data that were obtained illegally.” She has been indicted by prosecutors and is currently awaiting trial.
The enforcement drive has accelerated following a significant data leak in neighboring Belarus earlier this year. As reported by the Belarusian media Nasha Niva, hackers infiltrated the Russian-language online casino site run by Maxbet in February.
The thieves escaped with information regarding approximately 10,000 clients. The company verified that the hackers compromised the names, contact numbers, residential addresses, birth dates, and email addresses of its customers. Following confirmation of the breach, the operator halted its activities.
Police in both nations state that the illicit demand for private information is growing. Authorities claim that the number of people selling compromised data is on the rise, with unauthorized online gambling firms being key buyers.
Proposal from the Ministry of Finance
While online casinos are currently prohibited by Russian legislation, the Ministry of Finance seeks to lift this prohibition. The ministry argues that this contentious proposal could generate millions in annual tax revenue for the nation.
Financial leaders in Moscow propose levying a 30% tax on the yearly earnings of online casino operators, excluding payouts. However, the plan has faced sharp criticism from prominent figures, including leaders of the Orthodox Church and top politicians.
Psychologists also warn that residents in Russia’s impoverished regions would face increased risks if legislators approve the ministry’s suggestion.
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