United States v. Alexander Pakhtusov – Case Summary and Sentencing Information
Staff report written from press release
Washington, D.C. – September 7, 2023
Alexander Pakhtusov, known online as “Mrtikov,” faces sentencing on September 13, 2023, following his involvement in a widespread cybercrime operation. The case, United States v. Alexander Pakhtusov, Court Number 19-cr-310, sheds light on his criminal activities and their consequences.
Pakhtusov’s illicit activities unfolded over a significant period, stretching from at least April 2016 through September 2019. During this time, he operated as a seller on platforms like Slilpp and Paysell (now known as Blackpass), where he utilized the pseudonym “Mrtikov.” His nefarious dealings involved the sale of over 17 million valuable account credentials from individuals connected to various companies and banks. In total, he sold more than 14,000 sets of login credentials. Regrettably, those who acquired these login credentials employed them to commit theft from victim accounts.
The legal proceedings against Alexander Pakhtusov commenced on September 17, 2019, when he was indicted on 14 counts. These charges included Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud (Counts One and Two), Bank Fraud (Counts Three and Four), Wire Fraud (Count Five), Access Device Fraud (Count Six), Access Device Fraud (Counts Seven and Eight), and Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts Nine through Fourteen). Subsequently, Mr. Pakhtusov was extradited to the United States to face these charges.
On March 12, 2021, Pakhtusov entered a guilty plea, admitting to one count of Access Device Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(3) (Count Eight of the Indictment), and three counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A (Counts Nine, Ten, and Eleven of the Indictment).
The sentencing is currently scheduled for September 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EST, before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Victims of the charged offenses have the option to submit a Victim Impact Statement before sentencing, regardless of whether they were reimbursed for their losses. The statements should be emailed to [email protected] by September 8, 2023.
For those who wish to attend the sentencing proceedings in person, they will take place on September 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EST at the U.S. Courthouse, located at 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. Attendees are kindly requested to confirm their attendance by emailing [email protected] by September 8, 2023. Additionally, victims who wish to speak at the sentencing should also email the same address by the same date.
Given the large number of victims involved in this case, up-to-date information can be found on the official website at https://www.justice.gov/information-victims-large-cases. It’s essential to note that hearing dates may change on short notice, so attendees are encouraged to check the website for any updates. Please be aware that there could be a delay in updating the website with the latest information.
For inquiries related to this case, individuals are advised to contact [email protected] via email. The United States Department of Justice remains committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that victims have the opportunity to share their experiences in this matter.
