U.S. Indicts Russian Hacker Behind Qakbot Malware, Unseals Charges Against DanaBot Network
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday unsealed criminal charges against Russian national Rustam Rafailevich Gallyamov, accusing him of masterminding Qakbot, a long-running malware operation that infected thousands of computers worldwide and facilitated ransomware and cyber fraud schemes.
At the same time, prosecutors also announced charges against 16 individuals allegedly behind the DanaBot malware, part of an international enforcement effort called Operation Endgame.
Qakbot Mastermind Indicted
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Rustam Gallyamov, 48, of Moscow, is accused of leading a cybercriminal group responsible for developing and deploying Qakbot since the early 2010s.
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Qakbot was used to:
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Infect computers with ransomware and other malware
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Build and operate botnets to control compromised devices
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Launch further malicious campaigns
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A federal complaint also seeks the forfeiture of over $24 million in seized crypto and fiat funds linked to the case.
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The DOJ said Gallyamov remained active in cybercrime operations as recently as January 2025, despite a major 2023 international takedown of Qakbot infrastructure.
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Gallyamov’s current whereabouts are unknown, and he has not responded to comment requests.
DanaBot Network Brought Down
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Prosecutors in Los Angeles also unsealed charges against 16 people tied to the DanaBot malware operation.
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DanaBot has infected more than 300,000 computers globally since 2018 and caused an estimated $50 million in damages.
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Initially designed to steal banking credentials, DanaBot evolved to include broader information-theft capabilities and enabled unauthorized access for further cybercrime.
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It was still seeing 1,000 new infections daily across over 40 countries in 2025, according to threat researchers at Black Lotus Labs, a participant in Operation Endgame.
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This coordinated campaign involved international law enforcement and cybersecurity firms to dismantle infrastructure and arrest perpetrators globally.
Broader Impact
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These cases illustrate the ongoing and evolving threat of malware and cybercrime, even after major takedowns.
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The DOJ emphasized that it will continue pursuing cybercriminals operating beyond U.S. borders, often in partnership with global agencies.
