DOJ Arrests Oxygen Forensics Executives Over Alleged Concealment of Russian Ties
Summary
The DOJ arrested two Oxygen Forensics executives over alleged concealment of Russian ownership and software origins while selling to U.S. agencies. Authorities seized company domains and accounts; the DOJ says there is no evidence of malicious code or unauthorized data,
Key points
- Prosecutors allege Oxygen Forensics hid Russian ownership and claimed its software was developed in the United States.
- The DOJ arrested CEO Lee Reiber in Idaho and CTO Oleg Davydov in London; authorities plan to seek Davydov’s extradition.
- Oxygen allegedly sold forensic software to U.S. agencies, including DHS and DOD, and certified that it had no foreign ownership or control.
- Authorities seized about 57 domains, cyber infrastructure, and company bank accounts.
- Prosecutors allege the ownership concealment followed U.S. sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
- The DOJ says authorities are not alleging the software was used to access customer data or systems without authorization, and there is no evidence it contained malicious code.
- The executives face conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges and up to 20 years in prison.
Article Details
- Event Type
- U.S. federal authorities arrested two Oxygen Forensics executives and seized company domains, cyber infrastructure, and bank accounts amid allegations of wire fraud, sanctions evasion, and concealment of Russian ownership.
- Impact
- Prosecutors allege Oxygen Forensics misrepresented its Russian ownership and the origin of its software while selling it to U.S. agencies, including DHS and DOD. The DOJ said there is no evidence the software contained malicious code or was used to gain unauthorized access to customers' data or systems. The article reports that the same software was also sold to Russian agencies, including the FSB.
People
Lee ReiberOxygen Forensics CEO arrested in the U.S. and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud; prosecutors allege he misrepresented the company's ownership and software origins.Natalia KrapivaSenior tech legal counsel at Access Now who commented on the security and human-rights risks of government use of Oxygen's software.Oleg Sergeyevich DavydovOxygen Forensics chief technology officer arrested in London; prosecutors allege he and other Russian nationals concealed their ownership and control of the company.
Vendors
CellebriteOxygen is a direct competitor of the well-known digital forensics company Cellebrite, whose work with authoritarian governments has drawn worldwide attention.Oxygen ForensicsThe DOJ arrested two executives from Oxygen Forensics for allegedly hiding the company’s Russian ownership and misrepresenting that its software was developed in the United States while selling to U.S.
Countries
CyprusDavydov and four other Russian nationals allegedly hid behind a holding company based in Cyprus though Oxygen is formally headquartered in Virginia, prosecutors said.RussiaFederal authorities seized the firm’s domains and bank accounts after alleging the scheme evaded sanctions and obscured ties to Russia, including sales to the FSB and other Russian agencies.United StatesThe DOJ arrested two executives from Oxygen Forensics for allegedly hiding the company’s Russian ownership and misrepresenting that its software was developed in the United States while selling to U.S.