Vienna Cybercrime Trials – Official Verdict Issued in Gal Barak Case

What Are the Vienna Cybercrime Trials?

The term Vienna Cybercrime Trials (VCT) is not an official legal designation but rather a label used by Scam-Or Project to describe a series of judicial proceedings involving the E&G Bulgaria cybercrime network. In September 2020, Gal Barak, an Israeli national, was found guilty of leading this criminal enterprise. The Austrian court sentenced him to four years in prison, ordered restitution to victims, and declared the seizure of €2.5 million in illicit gains.

Scam-Or Project has reported that this case is just the beginning—additional indictments and legal actions are expected under the VCT umbrella.

Structure of the Cybercrime Organization

Operating alongside his Bulgarian wife Marina Barak (formerly Marina Andreeva) and a group of predominantly Israeli associates, Gal Barak ran the fraudulent operation under the name E&G Bulgaria (previously known as E&G Finance). This criminal network ran:

• Boiler rooms across Europe

• Fake broker platforms that tricked unsuspecting investors

• Scam brands including:

• XtraderFX

• SafeMarkets

• Golden Markets

• OptionStars and OptionStarsGlobal

Estimated Impact:

• Victims: More than 30,000

• Stolen funds: Over €200 million, according to a former business partner

Arrest, Charges, and Conviction

In early 2019, an EU arrest warrant was issued for Gal Barak and his associate Uwe Lenhoff.
Barak was detained in Bulgaria and later extradited to Austria, where he was charged with:

• Investment fraud

• Money laundering

In September 2020, the Austrian court found Barak guilty on all charges. The penalties included:

• 4 years imprisonment

• Full restitution to Austrian victims

• Forfeiture of €2.5 million already seized by authorities

The Written Judgment and Its Significance

Barak remains in Austrian custody, and the court’s written decision has now been formally issued.

Key Statement from the Judge:

Gal Barak was identified as the mastermind behind the cybercrime network. He managed the fraud operation through his wife Marina Barak, a circle of accomplices, and various employees, overseeing everything in his role as CEO.

Scam-Or Project will continue to monitor developments as further prosecutions related to E&G Bulgaria are anticipated.