Ripe counters Soca 'money laundering' claims

Ripe accepted the Russian Business Network as a customer in 2006

Regional internet registry Ripe has defended its dealings with notorious cyber crime organisation the Russian Business Network (RBN).

Ripe was criticised yesterday at the RSA Conference Europe for allowing RBN to register domains that could have led web users down some very dangerous and illegal paths.

Andy Auld, head of intelligence at the e-crime department of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), suggested that letting RBN register itself as a local internet registry or ISP could be seen as tantamount to money laundering.

However, Paul Rendek, head of external relations and communications at Ripe, insisted that his company applies a very strict set of guidance and due diligence when entering into relationships with new clients.

Rendek explained that RBN had been accepted as a customer in 2006, after having been subjected to scrutiny, and that Ripe began the process of removing RBN when it was discovered that the group was violating its policies.

"We have always co-operated with Soca, and continue to work very closely with relevant criminal investigation bodies to ensure that investigations can be carried out as swiftly and efficiently as possible in order to ensure that best practice internet governance is adhered to, and criminal activity is identified and dealt with in the appropriate manner," he said.