Threat Management, Malware, Ransomware

Microsoft worker pleads not guilty in ransomware case

A Florida man has been charged with two federal charges related to the Reveton ransomware scam that prosecutors say he helped operate prior to his hiring at Microsoft.

Raymond Odigie Uadiale has been charged by the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida with two counts, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to court documents. Uadiale has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Reveton was shut down in 2013.

Uadiale currently works as a network engineer for Microsoft, a position he took in 2014, and according to a Sun-Sentinel article, Microsoft is aware of Uadiale's prior activities. Microsoft has not yet returned an SC Media inquiry into Uadiale's current status.

The prosecutor alleges Uadiale, working with a UK-based co-conspirator who went by the online name K!NG, helped launder the gains made through the distribution of Reveton ransomware. The ransomware would be injected into a target computer and then post a note containing the logo of a prominent law enforcement agency, like the FBI, falsely informing victim that illegal material had been found on their computer and a fine had to be paid.

The duo, prosecutors allege, asked for the payment to be made in GreenDot MoneyPaks, and supplied instructions on how to issue the funds. Uadiale, working under the online name Mike Roland, would receive these payments by obtaining the prepaid debit card accounts, and would send K!NG his cut of the proceeds.

Prosecutors say about $130,000 was laundered by Uadiale.

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