This is the story of Vladislav Klyushin, a Russian oligarch and cybersecurity entrepreneur whose company, M-13, was a cover for his extensive insider trading operations. Klyushin's illegal activities involved hacking into U.S. companies to steal confidential information and using this data to make illicit trades on Wall Street. His crimes impacted investors in major companies like Tesla, Roku, and Skechers, illustrating the intersection of cybercrime and financial markets.

The piece highlights a recent multinational prisoner swap where Klyushin was released from a U.S. prison, alongside other high-profile individuals, as part of a broader diplomatic deal. The act emphasises the ongoing threats posed by such criminal networks and the continued efforts by U.S. authorities to combat these sophisticated financial crimes. CNBC's investigative documentary, “Putin’s Trader,” and its related podcast series aim to shed light on this intricate case and its broader implications for global finance.

Technical Keypoints:

• Vladislav Klyushin: Russian oligarch and founder of the cybersecurity firm M-13.
• M-13’s Role: Served as a front for Klyushin’s illegal insider trading operations.
• Criminal Activities: Hacking into U.S. companies to steal confidential information and execute insider trades.
• Victims: Investors in major American companies such as Tesla, Roku, and Skechers.
• Multinational Prisoner Swap: Klyushin released as part of a diplomatic deal involving multiple nations.
• Ongoing Threat: Continued risk of similar financial crimes and sophisticated hacking operations.
• Documentary and Podcast: CNBC’s “Putin’s Trader” and “The Crimes of Putin’s Trader” podcast explore the case in detail.

Timeline of Events:

• Early 2021: Vladislav Klyushin arrives at Sion airport in Switzerland.
• 2021-2022: U.S. law enforcement monitors Klyushin’s activities and flight.
• 2022: Klyushin is arrested and charged in the U.S. for insider trading and hacking.
• August 2024: Multinational prisoner swap results in Klyushin’s release alongside other high-profile prisoners.
• August 15, 2024: Release of CNBC’s documentary “Putin’s Trader” and accompanying podcast series.

Vladislav Klyushin’s case represents a significant intersection of cybersecurity and financial crime, illustrating how sophisticated hacking can undermine major financial markets. His insider trading operations, conducted through his company M-13, caused substantial harm to U.S. investors and highlighted vulnerabilities in the global financial system. Despite his release as part of a broader diplomatic agreement, the case underscores the persistent and evolving threat of cybercrime in financial sectors. CNBC’s documentary and podcast aim to expose the details of this complex criminal enterprise and its broader implications.

Source and further reading.

Javers, E. (2024, August 2). Putin’s Trader: How Russian hackers stole millions from U.S. investors. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/01/putins-trader-how-russian-hackers-stole-millions-from-us-investors.html

Vladimir Putin. (2021, September 15). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/vladimir-putin/

Putin’s Trader — How rich Russian hackers stole millions from U.S. investors. (2024, August 1). [Video]. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/08/01/putins-trader-how-russian-hackers-stole-millions-from-us-investors.html