Oleg Korniev, 42, pleaded guilty on October 8, 2026, to running an international money laundering organization that processed millions of dollars stolen by cybercriminals, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Operation Your Mule Cashout
According to court documents, Korniev was a leader of Your Mule Cashout (YMCO), an organization that operated a system of money mules and internet infrastructure. The network allowed hackers to conceal thefts from U.S. companies and transfer stolen funds to countries primarily in Eastern Europe by paying a percentage of the stolen money.
YMCO recruited over 15,000 U.S.-based money mules by deceiving them into believing they worked for legitimate companies. The mules received payments in their personal bank accounts and wired the funds overseas.
Charges and Legal Penalties
Korniev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit access device theft, and aggravated identity theft, according to the Justice Department. He admitted that YMCO was responsible for over $14.7 million in actual and intended losses by confirmed victims, intended to launder over $9.7 million, and actually laundered at least $7 million.
Korniev faces a minimum penalty of two years in prison and a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for a later date. Four other individuals previously involved with YMCO pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from around 37 months to 63 months in prison.
Key facts and where they come from
- Oleg Korniev, 42, pleaded guilty to running an international money laundering organization for cybercriminals.
Oleg Korniev, 42, a dual citizen of Ukraine and Russia, pleaded guilty today to running a sophisticated international money laundering organization
- The criminal organization recruited over 15,000 U.S.-based money mules to launder at least $10 million.
recruited over 15,000 U.S.-based money mules to launder at least $10 million stolen by hackers from over 750 U.S. bank accounts.
- Korniev pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and computer fraud.
Korniev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit access device theft, and aggravated identity theft.
- Korniev faces a minimum penalty of two years and a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.
He faces a minimum penalty of two years in prison and maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.