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By Clare O’Gara
Mon | Jun 29, 2020 | 6:15 AM PDT

See you in 2029, Aleksei Burkov.

When it comes to cybercrime websites, Russian national Aleksei Burkov ran the gambit.

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Justice, Burkov was just sentenced to nine years in prison for operating two digital platforms dedicated to criminal activity.

The first site was straightforward card fraud. Called "Cardplanet," it sold previously stolen debit and credit card numbers. And the profit margin was high. The stolen credit card data sold on Burkov's site has resulted in over $20 million in fraudulent purchases made using U.S. credit card accounts.

But the second website was even more exclusive, according to the DOJ:

"Burkov also ran another website that served as an invite-only club where elite cybercriminals could advertise stolen goods, such as personal identifying information and malicious software, and criminal services, such as money laundering and hacking services."

Entry into the "elite club" came with a price.

"To obtain membership in Burkov's cybercrime forum, prospective members needed three existing members to 'vouch' for their good reputation among cybercriminals and to provide a sum of money, normally $5,000, as insurance."

And with that nine-year sentence, it looks like Burkov's crimes came with a price as well.

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