the building receptionist said there are no active phone lines but found a mobile number for igor turashev s company. after a long wait, somebody picked up. hello, i am looking to find igor turashev. that was interesting, that was actually somebody who works with turashev. yeah. i find it amazing that he is here. this is where lots of legitimate businesses are. they have offices here, but they have very good cars, good life in moscow. they are not hiding at all.
a neighbour recognised a picture of turashev, but he was not interested in talking, if he was there. i think we have got as close to these people as we can. they know we are here, but they do not want to talk to us. it has been a strange process, almost uncomfortable and intrusive. we have been going to their houses, their businesses, but i have to remind myself that this is what they have been doing, allegedly, for years, they have been breaking into the private networks and computers of companies and individuals, and that s how they ve, allegedly, made their fortunes.
despite being a seemingly legitimate businessman, then, turashev was proving elusive. we deliberately did not try to contact people facing sanctions who are thought to work for the russian intelligence services. all nations hack each other, but some allegations against russian state hackers are extreme, from electricity blackouts to attacks causing billions of dollars of damage globally. the russian government has denied all accusations, routinely laughing them off as western hysteria and russophobia. for the generals, being sanctioned is like a reward. a badge of honour? yes, a badge of honour. even if they have been caught? well, caught in what? for them, it is intelligence gathering against the enemy of the russian state. and it s notjust individuals who are being accused of hacking for the russian state.
we travel 700 kilometres east, to turashev s childhood town, to track him down. local reporter dmitry covered the story when turashev was accused of being a major international cybercriminal.