started · updated
Amir Barati extradited to U.S. for $3.4 billion hacking campaign
Amir Barati, a 40-year-old dual citizen of Iran and Turkey, has been extradited from Montenegro to the United States. Barati was arrested in Kotor in June following a request from the FBI.
He is accused of participating in a massive, yearslong cyberattack campaign that began in 2013. The operation allegedly targeted academic data and intellectual property, causing an estimated $3.4 billion in damages. According to U.S. prosecutors, the group breached 144 American universities and 42 U.S. companies, as well as 178 foreign universities. The campaign reportedly compromised approximately 8,000 professor email accounts and stole at least 31.5 terabytes of data, including research, scientific papers, and dissertations.
Investigators allege the hacking was conducted through the Tehran-based Mabna Institute on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Barati is expected to face wire and computer fraud charges in the U.S. Southern District of New York. The indictment also names 16 other Iranian nationals involved in the conspiracy.
Entities
Amir Barati · FBI · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Mabna Institute · Montenegro
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The hackers breached approximately 8,000 email accounts belonging to professors. kesq.com · kvia.com · therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The group allegedly used the Mabna Institute to conduct its operations. therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · kioncentralcoast.com · localnews8.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The hacking group allegedly operated on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. kesq.com · kvia.com · therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The hacking campaign targeted data worth over $3 billion. kesq.com · kvia.com · therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Amir Barati is a 40-year-old citizen of Iran and Turkey. therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · kioncentralcoast.com · localnews8.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The campaign breached 144 American universities and 42 U.S. companies. therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · kioncentralcoast.com · localnews8.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Amir Barati is accused of participating in a yearslong hacking campaign that began in 2013. kesq.com · kvia.com · therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Barati was arrested in Montenegro following an FBI request. kesq.com · therecord.media · serbiantimes.info · www.danas.rs · kioncentralcoast.com · +3 more