The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged a Russian man who allegedly took part in deploying multiple ransomware programs in the United States and around the world that raised up to $200 million.
Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev is charged with conspiracy to send ransom, conspiracy to damage protected computers, and deliberately damaging protected computers.
If convicted, Matveev could spend more than 20 years behind bars.
Between 2020 and 2022, Mateev and his conspirators allegedly gained access to numerous vulnerable computer systems via hacking or illegally purchased credentials, according to the DOJ.
After cracking the victims’ computers, they allegedly deployed one of three variants of ransomware known as LockBit, Babuk, and Hive, allowing the attackers to steal and encrypt data.
The group would then give the victim a ransom note. Victims who did not pay were often exposed to their private information online.
Mateev’s ransomware deployments allegedly demanded up to $400 million in ransoms and secured up to $200 million in payments.
Philip R. Sellinger, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, says Mateev and his co-conspirators have reportedly targeted numerous government agencies, including law enforcement.
“From Russia and hiding behind multiple aliases, Matveev allegedly used these ransomware strains to encrypt and hold the data of numerous victims for ransom, including hospitals, schools, non-profits, and law enforcement agencies, such as the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington , DC Thanks to the extraordinary investigative work of my office prosecutors and our FBI partners, Matveev is no longer hiding in the shadows – we have publicly identified his criminal acts and charged him with multiple federal crimes.
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