• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted a Russian man, Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, for allegedly participating in deploying multiple ransomware schemes in the United States and around the world that netted up to $200 million.
• If convicted, Matveev could spend over 20 years behind bars on charges of conspiring to transmit ransom demands, conspiring to damage protected computers and intentionally damaging protected computers.
• His ransomware deployments allegedly issued up to $400 million worth of ransom demands and secured up to $200 million in payments from vulnerable computer systems via hacking or illegally purchased credentials between 2020 and 2022.
U.S. Department of Justice Indicts Russian Man
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted a Russian man, Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, for allegedly participating in deploying multiple ransomware schemes in the United States and around the world that netted up to $200 million. If convicted, Matveev could spend over 20 years behind bars on charges of conspiring to transmit ransom demands, conspiring to damage protected computers and intentionally damaging protected computers.
Ransom Demands Issued Worldwide
Matveev’s ransomware deployments allegedly issued up to $400 million worth of ransom demands and secured up to $200 million in payments from victims across the globe via hacking or illegally purchased credentials between 2020 and 2022. According to the DOJ, his group accessed numerous vulnerable computer systems with one of three ransomware variants – LockBit, Babuk and Hive – enabling them to steal data before issuing victims with a ransom note. Those who failed to pay had their private data posted online.
Impact on Public Sector Agencies
Philip R. Sellinger, the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey says Mateev’s group also targeted public sector agencies such as law enforcement organizations like the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C., including hospitals, schools, nonprofits amongst others: “From Russia and hiding behind multiple aliases, Matveev is alleged to have used these ransomware strains to encrypt and hold hostage for ransom the data of numerous victims… Thanks to the extraordinary investigative work of prosecutors from my office and our FBI partners…we have publicly identified his criminal acts [and] charged him with multiple federal crimes.”
Investigations Ongoing
Investigations into this matter are ongoing as authorities try their best efforts at apprehending those involved while protecting innocent victims from falling prey into similar traps set by malicious actors online .
Be Vigilant Online
It is therefore important that all Internet users remain vigilant when online by implementing all necessary precautionary measures aimed at keeping them safe as well as being aware about any potential cyber threats they may come across during their digital activities .
