Dive Brief:
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The United States Secret Service has arrested a 30-year-old Russian man on charges related to hacking of American retail payment systems using malware, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.
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Roman Valerevich Seleznev was arrested Saturday. He is accused of hacking into payment systems and websites and stealing credit card information around the U.S. from 2009 to 2011.
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UPDATE: Russia's foreign ministry is now calling Seleznev's arrest a "kidnapping," an "unfriendly move" by Washington, and a violation of a bilateral treaty that should have precluded his detainment. Seleznev's father also said his son's arrest was retaliation for Russia's treatment of American fugitive Edward Snowden.
Dive Insight:
The arrest of one of the alleged great perpetrators of cybercrime in the United States is a key win for federal authorities and the retailers that are the victims. None of the charges filed against Roman Valerevich Seleznev so far involves the major data thefts at retailers like Target that occurred late last year. No word yet on whether his alleged activities could provide any insight into those breaches.
UPDATE: Seleznev's arrest is also clearly a complication in the currently very complicated relationship between Russia and the U.S.