The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $1 million through its Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Programme for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Tim Vakhaevich Stigal.
Stigal is wanted for his involvement in transnational organized crime. According to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), he has been linked to significant computer intrusions targeting U.S. businesses since 2011. His criminal activities reportedly include the theft of payment card data, which he allegedly monetized for personal gain.
On January 17, 2024, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging Stigal with participating in four separate conspiracies to traffic stolen payment card information from customers of at least three U.S. corporations between April 2014 and March 2016. One of these conspiracies involved extortion, where Stigal allegedly threatened to compromise stolen personal data unless a ransom was paid. The charges against him include wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, computer fraud extortion, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Stigal is now listed on the USSS Most Wanted Fugitive page. The reward offer, authorized by the Secretary of State, aims to bolster global law enforcement efforts to combat transnational crime and bring fugitives to justice.
Anyone with information about Stigal should contact the USSS at MostWanted@usss.dhs.gov, visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if abroad, or contact the local USSS office in the U.S.
