A Romanian man was sentenced Thursday for his role in the NetWalker ransomware attacks to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $21.5 million and his interests in an Indonesian limited liability company and associated luxury resort property under construction in Bali, Indonesia, officials stated.
A business venture he financed with proceeds from the attacks.
He was also ordered to pay $14.9 million in restitution.
Daniel Christian Hulea, 30, of Jucu de Mijloc, Cluj, Romania, pleaded guilty in Florida to computer fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy on June 20.
According to court documents, Hulea admitted to participating in a conspiracy to use a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker.
NetWalker ransomware has been used to target hundreds of victims all over the world, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges, and universities. NetWalker attacks specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.
As part of his plea agreement, Hulea admitted to using NetWalker to obtain approximately 1,595 bitcoin in ransom payments for himself and a co-conspirator, valued at approximately $21.5 million at the time of the payments.
Romanian law enforcement officers arrested Hulea in Cluj, on July 11, 2023. Hulea was subsequently extradited to the United States.