United States: Russian Gets 2 Years Behind Bars for Online Fraud

Published: 21 July 2015

Svetlichnyy bought goods online using stolen credit card information

By Beth Lacy

A court in the United States (US) has sentenced a Russian national living in Tewksbury, Mass. to two years’ imprisonment for cyber fraud. 

Alexey Svetlichnyy, using the online alias “Joga,” was part of an online fraud scheme which used stolen credit and debit card information to purchase goods worth more than US$ 650,000.

The US District Court in Boston sentenced Svetlichnyy Wednesday, ordering him to pay a fine of US$ 425,000 and forfeit a Lexus and other high-end goods he obtained through the scheme.

According to investigators, the 32-year-old and others obtained card data from online forums specializing in trafficking stolen information.

The criminals used the stolen data to buy luxury goods online including Apple iPads, Samsung cell phones, laptop computers, servers, scuba diving equipment, high-end camera lenses, and water filtration equipment. 

Between March 2010 and October 2013 Svetlichnyy sold the stolen goods on eBay for more than US$ 427,000.

Svetlichnyy pleaded guilty to fraud in March this year. He faced a maximum of 20 years in prison.