WASHINGTON (Sept. 5, 2024) — The U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Russian national Tim Vakhaevich Stigal, wanted in connection with a series of transnational organized cybercrimes.
Stigal has been implicated in multiple cyber intrusions since 2011, targeting U.S. businesses and stealing payment card data, according to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS). He then allegedly profited from selling or using the stolen data.
The Department of Justice previously unsealed an indictment against Stigal on Jan. 17, 2024, charging him with participation in four separate conspiracies involving trafficking in stolen payment card data from at least three U.S. companies between 2014 and 2016. The indictment also alleges that Stigal attempted to extort one of his corporate victims by threatening to leak stolen personal data unless a ransom was paid.
The charges against Stigal include four counts of wire fraud conspiracy, 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of computer fraud extortion, three counts of access device fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Stigal has since been added to the USSS’s Most Wanted Fugitive list.
The reward is part of the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, which aims to disrupt global criminal organizations and bring fugitives to justice. Individuals with information about Stigal’s whereabouts are urged to contact the U.S. Secret Service at MostWanted@usss.dhs.gov or visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The State Department stressed that all informant identities will remain confidential, and government officials are not eligible for the reward.
