At A Glance | August 15

Man Receives 60-Month Sentence for 2020 Bombing at NJ Gym

A New Jersey man received a 60-month sentence in a Camden federal court Aug. 10 after pleading guilty to detonating a homemade explosive device at a Gloucester City fitness center in 2020. Dwayne Vandergrift, 40, plead guilty to one count of malicious use of explosive materials, according to the Office of New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Court documents stated that the defendant deployed a homemade explosive device at a GCity Crossfit Aug. 28, 2020, damaging a door and an entryway. Authorities received no reports of injury likely due to the assailant's early morning attack. A search of Vandergrift's home later revealed additional materials for bomb-building. Sellinger noted the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, thanking the FBI, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with county and local authorities. Following time served in prison, Vandergrift must also complete three years of supervised release.

Former Twitter Manager Convicted After Releasing Information on Saudi Dissidents

A San Francisco federal court convicted a former Twitter manager on six criminal counts after prosecutors say he provided personal information on dissidents for the Saudi Arabian crown. Ahmad Abouammo held dual citizenship in the U.S. and Lebanon and cultivated relationships with Middle Eastern and North African journalists and celebrities. One targeted account @mujtahidd, which gained millions of followers on the heels of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, has a history of making public allegations against the Saudi Royal family for corruption and other misdeeds. Bader al-Asaker, a close adviser to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, recruited Abouammo for his inside knowledge of and access to the social media platform, according to prosecutors. Jurors convicted Abouammo on charges of disguising payment from an official linked to the Saudi Royal family, acting as an agent for the foreign country, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Al-Asaker reportedly gifted Abouammo approximately $300,000 and a $20,000 watch. Prosecutors said the defendant deposited that money in a relative's account in Lebanon, only to have it wired back to him in the U.S.

Study Finds Cyber Criminals Using Crypto-Mixing Service to Launder $540M

Cyber criminals have used the crypto cross-chain bridge RenBridge to launder at least $540 million, according to new research from the blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. Cross-chain bridges, while sidestepping regulations and facilitating ambiguity among users, allow for the digital transfer of assets across chains through token exchange. Of the millions of dollars in laundered through RenBridge, the study identified $153 million in ransomware payments, which experts suggest primarily assisted Russian hackers in extorting companies for payment. Assets laundered through RenBridge have been acquired through theft, fraud and ransomware, in addition to other criminal enterprises. North Korea is also tapping into RenBridge, along with the Conti cybergroup, responsible for the recent attack against the Costa Rican government. Elliptic executives anticipate more crackdowns by regulators on crypto mixing services like RenBridge within the next year.

For more information, please contact NJOHSP's Intelligence Management Bureau at [email protected] or 609-584-4000.