Iranian Pleads Guilty in Robbinhood Ransomware Attacks

Sina Gholinejad, an Iranian national, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in the Robbinhood ransomware attacks from 2019 to early 2024. With his co-conspirators, he targeted local governments, healthcare organizations, and businesses, including Baltimore, which lost over $19 million and had essential city services such as water bills and property taxes shut down for weeks. The Robbinhood group used sophisticated methods, including exploiting vulnerable drivers to disable antivirus protections and laundering ransom payments through cryptocurrency mixers and VPNs to evade law enforcement. Gholinejad faces up to 30 years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for August. U.S. officials highlighted the severe impact these attacks had on public services and community operations. The case underscores the increasing threat posed by international ransomware groups to critical infrastructure.