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International Arms Dealer Kyrgyz national Sergei Zharnovnikov Convicted of Conspiring to Export Firearms to Russia

By
Fejiro Anokwuru
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0

Earlier Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn, Kyrgyz national Sergei Zharnovnikov pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations.

The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law.

When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.

“The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this Office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons to flout U.S. sanctions.”

“Sergei Zharnovnikov admitted to violating export control laws by exporting US semi-automatic firearms to Russia via Kyrgyzstan.  Schemes designed to evade export laws are not only illegal but also endanger our country’s security. The FBI along with our partners will continue our efforts to defend the homeland by bringing to justice any criminal attempting to evade the laws enacted to protect our national security,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.

According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) from the United States to Russia.

The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia.

In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan.

DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1, but the license prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia.  Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms to Russia (via Kyrgyzstan), including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols from U.S. Company-1.

According to an export filing, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022.

On or about November 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company.  The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.

Serial Hacker Kai ‘IntelBroker’ West Charged for $25m in Damages to Victims

By
Olaoluwa Fabuyi
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0

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of a four-count criminal indictment and complaint charging Kai West, aka IntelBroker, aka Kyle Northern, with a years-long hacking scheme committed through the online identity IntelBroker.

West, using the IntelBroker identity, conspired with an online group named CyberN[——] to steal data from a telecommunications company, a municipal healthcare provider, an Internet service provider, and more than 40 other victims.

West and his online co-conspirators took that stolen data and offered it for sale online for more than $2 million.  Collectively, West, through the IntelBroker identity and his online co-conspirators, caused in excess of $25 million in damages to victims.

West was arrested in France in February 2025, and the United States is seeking his extradition. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

“Kai West, an alleged serial hacker, is charged for a nefarious, years-long scheme to steal victims’ data and sell it for millions in illicit funds, causing more than $25 million in damages worldwide,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia.

As alleged in the indictment and complaint, IntelBroker is the online moniker of West, who, in concert with his co-conspirators, compromised victims’ (typically companies) computer systems, exfiltrated data from those systems (e.g. customer lists and company marketing data), and then sold the stolen data for profit. West accomplished his scheme in connection with his leadership of an online hacking group called the “CyberN[——],” which frequented a particular internet forum (“Forum-1”).

Between approximately 2023 to 2025, West offered hacked data for sale approximately 41 times; and offered to distribute hacked data for free (or for Forum-1 credits) approximately 117 times. West and his co-conspirators have sought to collect at least approximately $2,000,000 by selling the stolen data. Based on information received from the victims of these breaches, West and his co-conspirators have cumulatively caused victim losses of at least $25,000,000.

Based on a review of West’s IntelBroker Forum-1 posts, approximately 158 threads started by West offered stolen data for sale, for Forum-1 credit, or for free, since in or about January 2023 through in or about February 2025. At least 41 of those 158 public messages sell data from companies based in the United States.

Of those 158 messages, approximately 16 provided a specific asking price for the stolen data, which cumulatively totals at least $2,467,000. At least 25 of the 158 public messages invited Forum‑1 users to private message IntelBroker (i.e. West) to negotiate a sales price.  The remaining 117 public messages offer hacked data for free to Forum-1 users or in exchange for Forum-1 credits.

At least 46 of the 158 public messages indicate that WEST worked in concert with a particular Forum-1 user (“CC-1”) to obtain the data through a “breach” (i.e. “hack”).  West’s public messages (as IntelBroker) indicate that he accepts payment via Monero, a cryptocurrency that utilises a blockchain with privacy-enhancing technologies to obscure transactions and achieve anonymity and fungibility.

West’s prolific posting (as IntelBroker) and his sales of stolen data have generated notoriety for the IntelBroker identity within the Forum-1 community. Indeed, from in or about August 2024 through in or about January 2025, “IntelBroker” was identified on Forum-1 as the site’s “owner.”

To further his username’s notoriety, West has associated different images with IntelBroker but primarily uses the following image as his calling card:

IB logo

West’s victims include a U.S.-based telecommunications provider. West, using the IntelBroker moniker, sold data from that telecommunications company, which included information about its customers.

West accessed that data through the illegal use of a server that was improperly configured. On or about March 6, 2023, West, using the IntelBroker moniker, authored a public message on Forum-1 titled “CyberN[——] [redacted reference to Victim] Database.”

In that post, West offered for sale data from a municipal healthcare provider, which included patient information such as names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, genders, health plan details, employer information, and other personal details from the victim’s patients.

West, 25, a British national, is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; accessing a protected computer to obtain information, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

U.S. Defence Employee Ewa Maria Ciszak Charged With Stealing Classified Documents

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

A civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defence was arrested and made her initial court appearance to face charges of unauthorised removal and retention of classified documents.

Ewa Maria Ciszak, 64, of Huntsville, Alabama, is charged with knowingly removing and retaining classified documents and materials.

According to court documents unsealed today in the Northern District of Alabama, Ciszak has been employed at the Missile Defence Agency (MDA) since January 2023. As part of her duties, she held a security clearance and had access to classified materials related to the national defence of the United States.

Beginning in approximately February 2025 and continuing through June 18, 2025, Ciszak allegedly removed classified documents from MDA facilities without authorisation and transported them to her personal residence and vehicle, which were not authorised for classified material storage.

On June 18, 2025, pursuant to a search warrant authorised by the U.S. District Court, federal agents executed a search of Ciszak’s home, person, and vehicle. Agents recovered multiple documents bearing classification markings up to the SECRET level.

Some of the documents had been placed in her personal backpack that day and transported directly from MDA to her home.

New ‘Do-Tank’ AGESI Launches to Drive Africa’s Green Transition from Ambition to Action

By
Bola Akinloye
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0

A coalition of African leaders from government, finance, academia, and international development today launched the Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI), a new pan-African “do-tank” designed to catalyze the continent’s shift to a sustainable and prosperous future.

The institute was unveiled during a high-level inaugural webinar themed “Setting the Stage for Africa’s Green Shift,” where speakers emphasized the urgent need to move beyond policy discussions to the implementation of concrete, bankable projects.

The webinar was chaired by Emeritus Prof. Babajide Alo, AGESI Patron and Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. Declaring the event open, he captured the spirit of the day: “We have moved from an era of awareness to one of necessary action… See this webinar not as a passive event, but as the beginning of a vital collaboration.”

AGESI was introduced as a direct response to the continent’s most pressing question. “The ambition is undeniable, yet a single question echoes across our continent.

How? How do we move from ambition to concrete action?” asked Dr. Eugene Itua, the Executive Director of AGESI. “Today, we do not just launch an institute; we light a beacon… We are not a think-tank; we are a do-tank, built to cut through bureaucratic inertia and focus on tangible, life-changing results.”

AGESI performs the analytical role of a think-tank, but its defining purpose and measure of success is its ability to act as a do-tank—translating that intelligence into tangible action, executed projects, and a measurable green shift for Africa.

The launch drew powerful endorsements from key institutions. Ms. Ijeoma Ozulumba, Executive Director/CFO of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), noted her institution’s unique position as the only Nigerian entity accredited to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

“AGESI was conceptualized to answer this question,” she stated, positioning the institute as a critical partner.

The Nigerian government offered its full support, with the Hon. Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by Ms. Aisha Odetoro, Director of Environmental Assessment, declaring AGESI a “vital and necessary partner.” She added, “Where government sets the direction, AGESI can help build the road.”

Support from global partners was emphatic. Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, noted that AGESI’s creation fulfills a key UNDP recommendation.

This was echoed by Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Director at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), who celebrated AGESI as an institution capable of ensuring Africa’s voice is “our own” and derived from African realities. From the diaspora, Hon. Mark A.G. Brantley, Premier of Nevis, championed the need for South-South collaboration, stating, “The Caribbean stands with you as a committed partner.”

In a powerful keynote address, Dr. Ibrahim Pam, Chairman of the World Bank Inspection Panel, warned that the greatest risk to Africa’s green transition is not finance but a “failure of governance.” He cautioned against a “green resource curse” and urged AGESI to champion Governance, Transparency, and Accountability as the “unshakable bedrock of integrity.”

The collaborative framework for AGESI’s mission became clear through remarks from its partners. Prof. Francis Bisong, representing Prof. Anthony Nyong, the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Director for Climate Change & Green Growth, framed the partnership in stark terms: “AGESI’s job is to be the catalyst… Our job at the African Development Bank is to finance the projects.”

This sentiment was matched by Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, who committed the nation’s universities to serve as AGESI’s “core engine for innovation and human capital development.”

The dialogue was deepened by a ‘Davos-Style’ expert panel moderated by Ms. Ozulumba. Ronald David Kayanja of the UN Information Centre urged AGESI to change the narrative about Africa’s capability.

H.E. Amb. (Dr.) Safiya Nuhu stressed that inclusive governance must deliberately close gender gaps. Tomas Sales of the UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub highlighted AGESI’s unique role as a neutral convener, while Mfon Ekong Usoro, a maritime governance expert, emphasized the link between the green and blue economies and the need for a domestic carbon market.

Dr. Othniel Yila of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub proposed national climate trust funds to empower communities. Finally, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, outlined how AGESI could de-risk investments to unlock private sector capital.

With its formal launch, AGESI is now poised to begin the collaborative work of building Africa’s green future.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 83 Border-related Cases This Week

By
Bola Akinloye
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0

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 83 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico.

It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

On June 14, Guillermo Navarro Cinco and Daniel Vazquez Mijares, both Mexican citizens and alleged captains of a smuggling boat, were arrested and charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain after they were intercepted by the U.S. Coast guard 25 miles off Point Loma.

Librado Lopez Ramirez, who was also aboard the boat and had been previously deported to Mexico, was arrested and charged with Attempted Entry After Deportation.

According to a complaint, Navarro Cinco and Vazquez Mijares attempted to smuggle nine people – including Lopez Ramirez – on a small boat; some passengers said they didn’t know how to swim and feared for their lives as the boat faltered under excessive weight.

On June 17, Erik Quintero Baez, a Mexican citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance.

According to a complaint, when the defendant attempted to cross the border in his tractor-trailer at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, Customs and Border Protection Officers found three 20-liter jugs containing 167 pounds of liquid methamphetamine concealed in the cab.

On June 18, Jose Julian Ugalde Ramos and Luis Adrian Carrillo Sandoval, Mexican citizens, were arrested and charged with Deported Alien Found in the United States.

According to a complaint, Border Patrol agents found the defendants hiding in large bushes less than a mile north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Also recently, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:

On June 20, Alejandro Arellano-Mejia, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony attempted murder, was sentenced to 15 months in custody for re-entering the U.S illegally. In 2014, a Frenso jury found Arellano-Mejia guilty of attempted murder for shooting another man in the chest with a shotgun following an altercation at an outdoor gathering.

On June 20, Baltazar Mendoza-Giron, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 15 months in custody for illegally re-entering the United States. Part of his sentence was imposed for violating supervised release after a 2024 conviction for illegal reentry. Mendoza-Giron also has previous convictions for harassment, for attempting to elude a pursuing police officer in a vehicle, and for criminally negligent homicide.

On June 20, Alejandro Arellano-Mejia, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, was sentenced to 15 months in custody for illegally reentering the U.S.

On June 20, Josue Roberto Suarez Ruiz of Honduras and Jesus Ernesto Peinado Armenta of Mexico were sentenced to 14 months and 12 months and one day, respectively, for transporting undocumented immigrants in an incident that became a high-speed chase.

The defendants failed to stop for Border Patrol agents and were ultimately apprehended after fleeing the vehicle and attempting to hide near trash cans on residential properties.

On June 20, Victor Armando Pena was sentenced to 12 months and one day in custody for illegally reentering the United States.

After serving a 17-year sentence for attempted murder with an enhancement for committing the act while actively participating in a criminal street gang, he was removed to Mexico on January 17, 2025, only to return illegally less than two weeks later on January 30, 2025. He was arrested by Border Patrol in Imperial Beach after he had illegally entered the U.S. via Jet Ski.

U.S. Largest Property Management Company Greystar to Pay Over $1.4m for Illegal Charges on Military Servicemembers

By
Shulammite Bello
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0

The Justice Department announced today that Greystar Management Services LLC will pay over $1.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by imposing illegal fees on military servicemembers who terminated their leases after receiving military relocation orders.

The department alleged that Greystar, the nation’s largest property management company with over 800,000 housing units under management, relied on software that it knew would automatically impose early termination charges on SCRA-protected servicemembers.

Greystar will set aside $1.35 million to pay affected military members and their co-tenants and will pay a $77,370 civil penalty. Greystar will pay triple damages to the servicemembers who paid the early termination charges.

The company will also make changes to its policies and training, including the adoption of SCRA-compliant software and forms at all its properties.

“We honour the service and sacrifices of our military by defending their rights under the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are aggressively enforcing all laws, including the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, to protect our military servicemembers and veterans.”

“America’s servicemembers devote their lives to defending our nation and must be able to do so without undue burdens,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects our military families from unfair hardships such as penalties for terminating a housing lease to fulfill military orders. We will continue to defend and support those who keep our country safe.”

251 New Immigration Cases Filed in Western District of Texas, Fewest Since March

By
Fejiro Anokwuru
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0

On June 20, federal prosecutors in the district filed 251 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from June 13 through 19.

Among the new cases, U.S. citizens Derrick Eugene Huntington, 39, and Michael Jerear Smith Jr., 39, of Arlington, along with Christina Elena Duggan-Rankin, 42, of Huffman, were arrested at an immigration checkpoint near Carrizo Springs after they were allegedly discovered conspiring to transport four illegal aliens concealed in two separate vehicles.

A criminal complaint alleges that Huntington and Smith occupied a sedan carrying an illegal alien in the trunk, while Duggan-Rankin drove an SUV with one illegal alien hidden on the floorboard in the passenger compartment and two others in the rear of the vehicle.

The complaint further alleges that the three Americans admitted to conspiring with a facilitator to transport the aliens to a location near San Antonio for monetary gain, and that cell phone evidence revealed photos of the smuggled aliens and communications with the facilitator, along with a pin-drop of the pick-up location.

Huntington, Smith and Duggan-Rankin are each charged with bringing in and harboring aliens.

In a separate case, U.S. citizens Raul Hilario Alvarado, 24, and Timothey Nathan Easterling, 40, were arrested during a vehicle stop on Highway 85 near Big Wells for allegedly transporting two illegal aliens.

During an immigration inspection, a criminal complaint alleges, one backseat passenger was determined to be illegally present in the U.S., while a second illegal alien was found in the trunk of the vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint, both defendants admitted to conspiring with a facilitator and that they were going to be paid up to $2,500 for transporting the illegal aliens.

Mexican nationals Israel Moreno-Salgado, 38, and Jose Hector Ramirez Roman, 43, were arrested near Maverick and charged with illegal re-entry felonies. Moreno-Salgado has been previously removed from the U.S. eight times, the most recent being April 1. Ramirez Roman has been removed from the U.S. five times, the latest being January 22.

Honduran national Delmar Sanchez-Zuniga, 42, was also arrested near Maverick for illegal re-entry. The three-time felon, with convictions for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, and a previous illegal re-entry conviction, has been deported twice before, the last being December 13, 2024.

Mexican nationalJose Rodolfo Cruz-Lopez was arrested and charged with illegal re-entry in El Paso. Court documents reveal that, in May 2023, Cruz-Lopez was convicted of three felonies related to child abduction in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. He was removed from the U.S. to Mexico in October 2023.

Also a Mexican national, Edwin Enrique Carpio-Lopez was arrested for illegal re-entry, having been removed from the U.S. five times, the last being on February 11. Additionally, immigration records show Carpio-Lopez has been granted four voluntary returns and has been expelled 17 times under Title 42.

On June 14, U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso attempted a traffic stop after they allegedly observed multiple individuals enter a pick-up truck near the border.

A criminal complaint alleges that the driver of the truck, identified as Mexican national Ruben Alfredo Carrillo-Castruita fled at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner, running several red lights before exiting the vehicle at an intersection and fleeing on foot.

An assisting Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was able to apprehend Carrillo-Castruita, while the two passengers who fled from the pick-up were located by Border Patrol agents.

The complaint alleges that Carrillo-Castruita admitted to being hired by a smuggler and was going to be paid $300 per illegal alien. The defendant was previously convicted for transporting illegal aliens in New Mexico in May 2023.

Heriberto Betancourt-Morales, a Mexican national, was charged in a criminal complaint for conspiracy to bring in aliens as the result of a U.S. Border Patrol investigation that identified him as a person involved in human smuggling.

The complaint alleges that Betancourt-Morales was previously removed from El Paso to Ciudad Juarez on September 21, 2024, and had transported multiple illegal aliens in May 2025. In one victim account, Betancourt-Morales allegedly carried a makeshift ladder for an alien to climb the border fence and pushed them over the fence causing the alien to fall and sustain injuries.

Another victim cited in the complaint alleged that Betancourt-Morales and other smugglers transported her to multiple stash houses in Mexico prior to making illegal entry using a makeshift ladder to climb the fence.

A third victim also identified Betancourt-Morales as an individual who conducted random checkups and gave orders at a stash house in Ciudad Juarez, where she was harbored with more than 10 other subjects.

Mexican National Jaime Eduardo Gonzalez-Camacho Three-time Deported, Previously Convicted Charged for Illegally Reentry into U.S.

By
Bola Akinloye
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0

A Mexican national made his initial court appearance to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Jaime Eduardo Gonzalez-Camacho, 29, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 3, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Gonzalez-Camacho is a citizen and national of Mexico who was previously deported and removed from the United States on November 2, 2017, November 10, 2017, and June 9, 2020, and reentered the United States illegally.

On April 23, 2023, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned that Gonzalez-Camacho had been arrested by officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for three counts of drug trafficking, three counts of sell transport-controlled substance, one-count possess to sell controlled substance, and one-count conspiracy to violate uniform controlled substances act.

On June 17, 2025, after serving a 26- to 72-month sentence in State prison, Gonzalez-Camacho was remanded to ICE custody by the Nevada Department of Corrections, based on an immigration detainer. Gonzalez-Camacho has two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking.

If convicted, Gonzalez-Camacho faces the maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Grassroots Power: How Tribe 09 Is Turning Sustainability into Daily Action

By
TCS TheCrimeScene
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0

By Favour Olive Chijioke

Behind every global shift are local changemakers—ordinary people who decide to take action where they are, with what they have. That’s exactly what United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership Programme celebrates: the power of youth-led action to shape a more sustainable world.

UPG Sustainability Leadership is the world’s largest and most comprehensive sustainability training for young adults. It equips participants with the skills and support needed to lead projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a global call to end poverty, protect the environment, and promote peace and prosperity by 2030.

A unique feature of UPG’s program is its emphasis on storytelling as a form of action. Each participant is encouraged to collaborate with a journalist or storyteller to share their journey. This initiative amplifies local stories that may otherwise go unheard—stories of resilience, innovation, and determination in the face of global challenges.

Among the standout participants of the 2025 cohort is Tribe 09, fondly known as Wave of Change. This diverse team of changemakers exemplifies the spirit of thinking globally while acting locally. Their work spans climate education, clean energy access, and promoting social equity—each project grounded in community engagement and cultural relevance.

One of Tribe 09’s active members, Nouran Farouk, is a medical doctor whose passion for sustainable living drives both her personal and community efforts. “We’re not just checking boxes,” she says. “We’re learning how to embed sustainability into our daily lives, and then helping others do the same.”

For Tribe 09, joining forces with journalists wasn’t about visibility for its own sake. It was about creating a platform where real stories of grassroots sustainability could inspire others to start where they are. Whether organising climate literacy sessions or promoting green practices in urban settings, this tribe understands that true impact begins with consistent local action.

As of 2025, over 13,600 young leaders have applied to join UPG Sustainability. More than 1,000 have already been trained and certified, many of whom go on to lead projects that touch lives in tangible ways. A select number, including members of Tribe 09, are even eligible for an advanced, fully-funded in-person training on Hurricane Island in the USA—a unique opportunity to deepen their leadership capacity and build lifelong networks.

The story of Tribe 09 is a reminder that sustainability is more than strategy—it’s service. Through community-based projects and storytelling partnerships, they are creating ripples of change that stretch far beyond their borders.

Gen-Z Targeted: 19m Malware Attacks Exploit Games, Streams, Anime—Top Tips to Outsmart Online Scammers

By
TCS TheCrimeScene
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0

By Funminiyi Philips

Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, has grown up immersed in a digital world filled with smartphones, social media, and online entertainment. Their passion for video games, TV shows, and movies makes them enthusiastic participants in the digital landscape—but it also places them squarely in the crosshairs of cybercriminals.

“Gen Z’s immersion in digital media makes them vulnerable to cyber threats,” warned Adefunke Bolatito of the Cybergirls Fellowship.

Recent research by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals the alarming scale of attacks targeting this generation. Over the course of a single year, experts recorded at least 19 million attempts to distribute malware disguised as popular games.

The most frequently targeted titles include fan favourites like Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Minecraft, and Call of Duty. Cybercriminals often employ phishing tactics, impersonating trusted brands or game developers, to deceive players into sharing sensitive information by offering the promise of free in-game rewards.

One particularly insidious phishing campaign mimicked a legitimate Riot Games promotion, inviting players to “spin the wheel” for exclusive skins. However, participating in this fake event meant handing over gaming accounts, banking details, and phone numbers to malicious third parties.

In another case, attackers distributed the Hexon stealer disguised as game installer files, capable of extracting personal data from platforms like Steam and various social media accounts.

How the scams work

  • “Free V-Bucks” Traps – Fake Fortnite reward generators steal login credentials.
  • Fake Game Mods – Malware-packed “cheats” for GTA or Minecraft.
  • Phoney Giveaways – Scammers impersonate streamers like Ninja, offering exclusive skins in exchange for personal data.

One particularly sneaky attack mimicked a Riot Games “spin the wheel” promotion, where players thought they were winning rare Valorant skins—but instead handed over their game accounts, credit cards, and even phone numbers to hackers.

Another scheme involved the Hexon stealer malware, hidden inside fake game installers. Once downloaded, it siphoned data from Steam, Discord, and even cryptocurrency wallets.

But the threat extends beyond gaming. Streaming services, a staple of Gen Z’s entertainment diet, have also been exploited. Kaspersky’s analysis uncovered roughly 85,000 attacks targeting Netflix users in the same year.

Cybercriminals created convincing fake websites that prompted users to renew subscriptions or update their payment information. Once accounts were compromised, they were often used to spread further phishing links or malware or sold to other malicious actors on underground markets.

Anime fans, too, have not been spared.

According to Vietnam News, over 250,000 cyberattack attempts were disguised as anime content, with the popular series Naruto being the most frequently exploited title, accounting for more than 114,000 attacks. These campaigns lure fans into downloading malware or sharing personal data, exploiting their passion for anime to bypass scepticism.

So, how can Gen Z protect themselves in this digital minefield?

Cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of vigilance and adopting simple but effective safety measures. Always download games, shows, and anime from official sources to avoid malicious files.

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible adds a crucial layer of security, making unauthorized access much harder. Be sceptical of giveaways and suspicious links—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

When making online payments, using virtual cards with spending limits can prevent large-scale financial losses. Finally, robust security software can detect and block threats before they cause damage.

Bolatito encouraged Gen-Zers to stay informed and cautious online. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, they can confidently enjoy their favourite digital experiences while keeping their personal information safe from cybercriminals.

 

For more insights on cybersecurity and digital safety, you can connect with cybersecurity enthusiast Funminiyi B. Philips on LinkedIn.

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