Propaganda has long been a powerful tool in shaping public opinion. In the digital age, it has taken on new forms, blending technology with misinformation.
This is the backdrop for a recent investigation by Bulgarian cybersecurity experts, BG Elves, who uncovered a large-scale Russian campaign targeting Bulgaria and Romania, reports Digi24.
The operation reportedly cost Russia $75 million. The money was distributed in small transactions, each under $5,400, making them difficult to detect.
The aim was to spread Russian influence and promote far-right ideologies in these countries.
BG Elves claims to have obtained documents linking the funds to individuals and companies in both Bulgaria and Romania.
The group shared their findings with journalists and investigative teams in Romania, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine over the past two days.
BG Elves reports that the campaign dates back to 2010 and involves sophisticated methods.
Many of the systems used to manipulate public opinion were linked to Russian domains. Over time, these domains were rebranded or redirected to appear legitimate.
However, traces of their Russian origins remain. Servers in the Netherlands and Germany played a role in hosting the operation.
One company, Adnow, is alleged to have been a key player in distributing propaganda. Their advertisements used complex algorithms to target audiences with sensational and misleading content, such as exaggerated health claims.
Adnow’s systems profiled users in great detail, tracking factors like gender, location, and even “brutality ratings.” This data was used to create targeted ads designed to manipulate individuals.
BG Elves also uncovered more sinister activity. A mobile gaming company reportedly used the collected personal data to install malware on devices.
This malware, known as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), gave attackers access to private communications and allowed them to control infected devices.
The malware was used to spread disinformation and gather more data.
The group estimates that thousands of devices were affected in Bulgaria alone, impacting a significant portion of the population.
The operation also includes bot farms and VPN networks that amplify propaganda. BG Elves warns that these activities expose serious gaps in national security.
They promise to release further findings as their investigation continues.
