Cyber Hack: Evil Corp | BBC Podcast Exposes Russia’s Most Notorious Hacking Group
The BBC World Service has unveiled a gripping new season of its acclaimed Cyber Hack podcast series — and this time, it dives deep into the dark heart of Russia’s most notorious hacking empire: Evil Corp.
Titled “Cyber Hack: Evil Corp,” the six-part investigative series takes listeners behind the firewalls and encryption screens into a digital underworld where billions have vanished, governments have been infiltrated, and hackers have allegedly forged connections with Russian intelligence agencies.
Unmasking Evil Corp: The Billion-Dollar Cyber Gang
Evil Corp is no ordinary criminal enterprise. Law enforcement officials across the United States and Europe describe it as “the most pervasive cybercrime group ever to have operated.” The gang stands accused of orchestrating large-scale financial heists that span continents — from targeting global banks to hacking small charities, including a convent of nuns in Chicago.
Their operations are sophisticated, relentless, and constantly evolving — a chilling reminder that cybercrime is not confined to code; it’s a weapon of global influence.
Who Leads Evil Corp? The Man Behind the Mask
At the center of this digital empire stands Maksim Yakubets, the elusive and flamboyant leader who has become one of the FBI’s most wanted cybercriminals.
Known online by aliases such as “Aqua” and “Bugat,” Yakubets is alleged to have run the infamous Dridex and Zeus malware campaigns — responsible for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from financial institutions and individuals worldwide.
Today, Yakubets carries a $5 million bounty from the US Department of Justice — one of the largest ever placed on a cybercriminal. Despite this, he reportedly lives openly in Moscow, driving luxury cars with vanity plates that translate to “THIEF.”
Evil Corp’s Shadow Network: Links to State Power
The story of Evil Corp goes beyond money — it’s about power, politics, and protection. Both US and UK intelligence agencies allege that Evil Corp has deep ties to Russian state security services, particularly the FSB, Russia’s Federal Security Service.
This has led to questions that reverberate far beyond the realm of cybersecurity:
Are cybercriminals being shielded by the state in exchange for their hacking expertise?
How blurred is the line between independent hackers and state-sponsored cyberwarriors?
What happens when crime and politics become indistinguishable in the digital realm?
The BBC’s Deep Dive Into the Cyber Underworld
Hosted by Joe Tidy, the BBC’s Cyber Correspondent, and Sarah Rainsford, the network’s veteran Eastern Europe Correspondent, Cyber Hack: Evil Corp offers unprecedented insight into the world of cyber espionage and digital theft.
The podcast’s journalistic depth sets it apart — drawing on years of investigation, interviews with intelligence insiders, law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and even individuals who once operated close to the gang’s network.
Joe Tidy on the Investigation
“No suspected hacking gang has been as prolific or as fascinating as Evil Corp,” says Joe Tidy. “They’re constantly adapting and evading justice. This investigation changed how I think about cybercrime — it’s no longer a shadowy world of anonymous coders; it’s organized crime with geopolitical consequences.”
Sarah Rainsford: A Reporter at the Heart of Russia’s Cyber Mystique
Having spent years reporting from Moscow, Sarah Rainsford brings firsthand knowledge of Russia’s opaque digital and political ecosystem.
“This story shines a light on the world where groups like Evil Corp thrive,” she explains. “It’s a dark, complex landscape — a mix of criminal ingenuity and political calculation that listeners will find both revealing and unsettling.”
The Rise of Evil Corp: From Underground Forums to Global Power
To understand Evil Corp, one must trace its roots back to the early 2000s, when the internet’s criminal underground began to flourish in Russia and Eastern Europe. Small-time hackers who once traded stolen credit card numbers on shady forums gradually evolved into full-scale criminal syndicates.
The Evolution of a Digital Empire
Phase 1 – The Malware Era: Evil Corp gained notoriety through the development of Zeus and Dridex, two pieces of malware that infected millions of computers worldwide, siphoning off bank details and passwords.
Phase 2 – Global Financial Attacks: They shifted focus to corporate and government targets, executing coordinated attacks that cost financial institutions hundreds of millions.
Phase 3 – Political Allegiances: As law enforcement closed in, Evil Corp allegedly found new protection — through ties to Russian intelligence, allowing them to operate with relative impunity inside Russia’s borders.
From Luxury Cars to Lavish Weddings: Inside Yakubets’ Life
While victims struggled to recover lost funds, Yakubets flaunted his wealth publicly — his lavish wedding to the daughter of an FSB officer was even featured in Russian media. His lifestyle painted a stark contrast between the cyber elite and their human casualties — victims whose savings, jobs, and trust in online systems were destroyed.
The Human Cost of a Digital War
Behind the digital jargon lies human suffering. Victims of Evil Corp’s malware schemes include:
Small business owners who woke up to find their accounts drained overnight.
Charitable organizations, including a convent in Chicago, crippled by cyber theft.
Ordinary citizens who lost life savings to phishing scams linked to the group’s infrastructure.
Cybercrime isn’t victimless — it leaves psychological scars, financial ruin, and in some cases, lifelong distrust of digital platforms.
Law Enforcement’s Global Pursuit
International agencies have spent over a decade trying to dismantle Evil Corp. The FBI, National Crime Agency (UK), Europol, and private cybersecurity firms have all collaborated in a game of digital chess that continues to this day.
Key Developments in the Case:
2015: Dridex malware linked to Russian hackers begins infecting global networks.
2019: The US Department of Justice indicts Maksim Yakubets and several associates.
2020–2025: Sanctions imposed on Russian cybercriminals believed to be connected to Evil Corp; however, enforcement remains difficult.
Despite global attention, no major arrests have occurred on Russian soil, further fueling allegations of state complicity.
Evil Corp’s Legacy in the Cybercrime Ecosystem
Even as authorities tighten restrictions, Evil Corp’s influence endures. Their malware code, techniques, and affiliate systems have inspired dozens of copycat operations. Experts warn that the group’s dissolution would not end its impact — their tools have seeded a new generation of digital criminals.
The Hydra Effect of Cybercrime
Shutting down one operation often leads to the rise of many smaller ones. Evil Corp’s affiliates continue to operate under new names, spreading ransomware and phishing attacks globally.
The New Cyber Frontier: From Hackers to Hybrid Warfare
The story of Evil Corp is more than a criminal saga — it’s a glimpse into the future of digital warfare. Cybersecurity analysts now view hacking groups as proxy forces used by governments for espionage, economic disruption, and influence campaigns.
This merging of crime and statecraft has redefined what “warfare” means in the 21st century. It’s no longer fought with tanks and missiles but with malware, misinformation, and data theft.
Why This Podcast Matters
“Cyber Hack: Evil Corp” arrives at a time when cybersecurity threats are escalating worldwide. From ransomware crippling hospitals to election interference and AI-driven scams, digital conflict has become part of our everyday reality.
This podcast not only documents history — it warns us of the unfolding cyber future.
Where and How to Listen
The series will feature six weekly episodes starting Monday, 20 October 2025.
Listeners in the UK can stream episodes a week early on BBC Sounds, with two episodes dropping on launch day.
Global listeners can tune in via BBC.com, Apple Podcasts, or BBC Podcasts Premium for early access. Episodes will also air weekly on BBC World Service beginning Wednesday, 22 October.
Key Themes Explored in the Series
Evolution of global cybercrime syndicates
The blurred lines between hackers and state actors
Real-life consequences of large-scale digital theft
How international agencies fight back
The human psychology behind cyber deception
The future of cyberwarfare and digital resilience
Cybersecurity Lessons for Listeners
The podcast also serves as an educational wake-up call for internet users, organizations, and policymakers.
Practical Takeaways:
Stay Vigilant: Never open unknown attachments or click suspicious links.
Use Strong Passwords & MFA: Multi-factor authentication can block 99% of automated attacks.
Update Regularly: Keep your software and devices patched.
Backup Critical Data: Offline backups can save your business during ransomware attacks.
Stay Informed: Follow credible cybersecurity news and education platforms.
Final Thoughts: The Digital Battle Ahead
The story of Evil Corp is not just about a gang of hackers — it’s about the evolution of power in the digital age. The BBC’s Cyber Hack series forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: in a world run by data, those who control the code control everything.
As governments, corporations, and individuals struggle to keep up with ever-evolving cyber threats, Cyber Hack: Evil Corp provides both an exposé and a warning — that the greatest crimes of the 21st century might not happen in the streets, but behind screens.
