Evil Corp: 5. Game over
Nov 17, 2025 · 45m
Summary
This episode details the FBI’s takedown of the Game Over Zeus botnet and the rise of Evil Corp, led by Maxim Yakubiec. It follows agent Keith Malarsky’s undercover work and the subsequent shift to ransomware. The narrative also tracks Vyacheslav Pinchukov, who returned to cybercrime after his initial arrest, leading to his eventual capture in Switzerland and extradition to the US.
Topics discussed
Intro and sponsor messages
Tank's life in Donetsk under shelling
FBI undercover agent Master Splinter
The Game Over Zeus botnet takedown
Lack of arrests and political tensions
Rise of CryptoLocker and Evil Corp
2017 ransomware attack on financial firm
Tank's return to cybercrime and ransomware
Tank's arrest in Geneva and sentencing
Maxim Yakubiec and episode conclusion
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