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Crooked Cops, Stolen Laptops, and the Ghost of UGNazi in Krebs on Security

Crooked Cops, Stolen Laptops, and the Ghost of UGNazi in Krebs on Security

A recent federal complaint filed last week has revealed shocking allegations against Los Angeles resident Adam Iza, also known as “Assad Faiq” and “The Godfather.” The complaint stated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been investigating Iza for failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars earned from cybercrime. Additionally, Iza allegedly paid local police officers hundreds of thousands of dollars to help him extort, intimidate, and silence rivals and former business partners, with many of these targets being members of the hacker group UGNazi.

According to the complaint, Iza is the founder of a cryptocurrency investment platform called Zort, which promised investors smart trades based on artificial intelligence technology. However, investors in Zort allegedly lost their investments as Iza and his girlfriend spent the money on lavish items such as Lamborghinis, jewelry, vacations, a $28 million home in Bel Air, and cosmetic surgery.

The complaint details various incidents where Iza allegedly used his connections with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to harass and extort individuals. One victim, identified as “E.Z.,” reported an attempted extortion and robbery by Iza and his associates in an effort to gain access to E.Z.’s cryptocurrency holdings. Another victim, T.W., was mentioned in the complaint as one of two Americans incarcerated in the Philippines for murder.

The complaint also references Iza’s girlfriend at the time, Iris Au, who was involved in various schemes with Iza, including allegedly suing another individual for stealing Iza’s laptop. These incidents are just a few examples of the web of criminal activities outlined in the complaint.

One particularly disturbing aspect of the complaint is the alleged involvement of former UGNazi members, including Mir Islam, also known as “JoshTheGod,” who was sentenced to prison in 2016 for stalking and other online crimes. The complaint suggests a connection between Iza and Islam, implicating Iza in the ongoing criminal activities of former UGNazi members.

The complaint further reveals how Iza reportedly used bribery and coercion to intimidate and manipulate individuals, including hiring private investigators to surveil targets and then refusing to pay them for their services. It also mentions incidents where Iza allegedly had LASD officers arrest individuals on false charges and extorted money from them.

Overall, the government’s case against Iza paints a troubling picture of corruption, intimidation, and criminal activity that spans multiple years and involves a network of accomplices and victims. The allegations in the complaint highlight the dangers of the growing trend of cybercriminals using violence and extortion to advance their illicit activities. As authorities continue to investigate these crimes, it is clear that more revelations and arrests may be forthcoming as the full extent of Iza’s alleged criminal enterprise is uncovered.

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