The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (OFAC) has sanctioned Sergey Sergeevich Zelenyuk (Russian tax number 780223642330) and his company Matrix LLC (Russian tax number 7807251301, Operation Zero brand).
According to the OFAC “Zelenyuk and Operation Zero trade in “exploits” – pieces of code or techniques that take advantage of vulnerabilities in a computer program to allow users to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or take control of an electronic device – and have offered rewards to anyone who will provide them with exploits for U.S.-built software. Among the exploits that Operation Zero acquired were at least eight proprietary cyber tools, which were created for the exclusive use of the U.S. government and select allies and which were stolen from a U.S. company. Operation Zero then sold those stolen tools to at least one unauthorized user.”
On its website, Operation Zero states that it “provides customers with unprecedented technologies for offensive and defensive operations in cyberspace” and that its “customers are exclusively Russian private and state-owned companies.”
Apart from Zelenyuk, these individuals and entities have been sanctioned.:
- Kucherov Oleg Vyacheslavovich (“GABR”). Born in Samara, date of birth: June 3, 1973;
- Mamashoyev Azizjon Makhmudovich. Citizen of Uzbekistan, date of birth: February 20, 1987, passport: FA2783585;
- Vasanovich Marina Evgenyevna. Born in Novocherkassk, date of birth: November 21, 2003, passport: 40 23 685988;
- ADVANCE SECURITY SOLUTIONS, R-311-315, Jumeirah Living Marina Gate 3, P.O. Box 121828, Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
- SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
