The Department of Justice has indicted Alex Khodyrev, 35, from Kazakhstan, and Pavel Kublitskii, 37, from Russia, for running dark web criminal marketplaces. U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg said they are charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud and wire fraud, with a possible 20-year prison sentence for each if convicted. They lived in Miami for the past two years while operating their illegal activities.
According to the Department of Justice, Khodyrev, and Kublitskii ran an online criminal hub called WWH Club (wwh-club.ws) from 2014 to 2024. This site and its affiliates were used for trading stolen personal information, banking details, and computer passwords. They also provided a platform for discussing ways to evade law enforcement and carry out cyberattacks. By 2023, the illegal network had about 353,000 users worldwide.
Furthermore, the sites operated by Khodyrev and Kublitskii didn't merely offer a place for cyber criminals to connect and trade illicit goods. WWH Club also provided online training—complete with courses designed to educate individuals on the perpetration of fraud. The revenue model of these operations included membership fees, tuition payments, and advertising dollars. The United States is seeking to forfeit assets connected to the cybercrimes, including a 2023 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG and a 2020 Cadillac CT5 Sport sedan that are believed to be funded by the criminal proceeds.
An indictment is a formal accusation but does not prove guilt. Both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The FBI conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael M. Gordon will lead the prosecution.
