{
  "id": 8075016,
  "title": "Alleged Trickbot hacker wanted by Germany served as adviser to deputy chair of Russia’s State Duma",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/alleged-trickbot-hacker-wanted-by-germany-served-as-adviser-to-deputy",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-17T18:36:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Insider",
    "slug": "the-insider",
    "url": "https://theins.press/en/news/297243"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Vitaly Nikolayevich Kovalev, a man suspected of founding and leading the global cybercrime syndicate known as Trickbot, has been identified as an adviser to Vladislav Davankov, the deputy chair of Russia’s State Duma. According to reports, Kovalev, who is currently wanted by German authorities, served as a supporter of New People, an entrepreneur, and a medical technology investor. They met at Volgograd State Medical University, where Kovalev was responsible for promoting the university's products in the region. However, when New People officially registered their candidates for the State Duma election, Kovalev was mysteriously removed from the party's regional list, leaving him ineligible to run. The Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany has issued an international arrest warrant for Kovalev, who is believed to be operating under the aliases Stern and Ben. His alleged cybercriminal activities have reportedly caused significant financial harm, with victims suffering hundreds of millions of euros in losses.",
  "summary": "Vitaly Kovalev, who is wanted by German authorities as the alleged founder and leader of Trickbot, one of the largest cybercriminal groups in the world, worked as an adviser to State Duma Deputy Speaker Vladislav Davankov and ran for the State Duma on the New People party’s ticket. The GangExposed project first drew attention to the connection between Kovalev and Davankov. Davankov himself wrote…",
  "key_points": [
    "Vitaly Kovalev, suspected Trickbot founder, wanted by Germany",
    "Advised Vladislav Davankov, deputy chair of Russia’s State Duma",
    "Removed from New People list, ineligible to run in election"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}