The Justice Department announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns, known as “Doppelganger,” which violated U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws. According to an unsealed affidavit, Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, under the direction of the Russian Presidential Administration and specifically First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, utilized these domains to covertly disseminate propaganda aimed at reducing international support for Ukraine, promoting pro-Russian policies, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
Simultaneously with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department designated 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This follows similar designations by the Treasury Department in March.
“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. He added that President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle directed these activities to promote disinformation as part of a campaign to influence the election's outcome.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized Russia's continued threat: “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that these actions illustrate Russia's reliance on advanced technology for disinformation: “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen highlighted this as part of ongoing efforts against such operations: “This is our third disruption of Russian foreign malign influence operations in two months.”
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania reiterated their commitment: “We’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.”
The perpetrators extensively utilized "cybersquatted" domains—registering domains mimicking legitimate websites—to publish propaganda falsely presented as content from reputable news organizations or creating unique media brands like Recent Reliable News.
The affidavit details several notable projects targeting U.S. audiences:
- Good Old USA Project
- The Guerilla Media Campaign
- U.S. Social Media Influencers Network Project
Doppelganger also targeted audiences in Germany, Mexico, Israel, among others.
The use of U.S.-based domain names by sanctioned persons violates federal laws including IEEPA and federal money laundering statutes due to payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure.
The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating with prosecution led by multiple sections within the Justice Department.