Microsoft network engineer charged with money laundering

A Microsoft network engineer is facing federal money-laundering charges linked to the Reveton Trojan malware, which freezes victims’ computers and tries to force them to pay a “fine” or ransom.

Raymond Uadiale, 41, a former Miramar resident who, his attorney said, previously taught mathematics at Miami-Dade College, pleaded not guilty to money-laundering and conspiracy charges on Thursday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale.

The judge did a double take when he heard that Uadiale has been working for Microsoft Seattle area since 2014.

“Cybersecurity, don’t tell me?” U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Seltzer quipped. “Are they aware of the charges?”

Uadiale’s attorney David Joffe assured the judge that his client’s employer knows about the allegations and that he doesn’t work in cybersecurity. His LinkedIn profile lists him as a network engineer.

Uadiale’s crimes occurred before he was hired by Microsoft and prosecutors don’t have any evidence that he had any involvement in spreading the malware or ransomware, Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Jared Strauss said in court.

Prosecutors said Uadiale, who also used the name Mike Roland, was part of a conspiracy led by a man who has since been arrested and is facing criminal charges in the United Kingdom.

The UK man – identified only by his online moniker “K!NG” – is accused of distributing computer malware, including the Reveton ransomware, to victims’ computers.

Reveton installs itself on the computer without the user’s knowledge, then freezes the computer. A bogus message from the FBI pops