The U.S. government tagged a number of bitcoin and ether addresses as being tied to the LockBit ransomware group, which was taken down on Monday.
BlackBerry reveals top crypto-focused malware amid rising cyber threats
SmokeLoader, RaccoonStealer (also known as RecordBreaker) and Vidar top the charts, according to BlackBerry’s list.
Mining Pools Are the New Mixers For Cybercriminals: Chainalysis
Hackers have a new way to recycle their ill-gotten crypto gains.
Here’s how hackers are using mining pools as mixers: Chainalysis
A wallet linked to ransomware attacks funneled funds through a mining pool to make it seem like the digital assets were earned through mining.
US Prosecutes Russian Hacker For Orchestrating $200 Million Crypto-Ransomware Attacks
In a significant development revealing the ever-looming threat of cybercrime, the US Department of Justice has recently leveled charges against a Russian hacker for his alleged involvement in a nefarious crypto-ransomware conspiracy targeting critical US infrastructure.
The gravity of the situation was highlighted as the DOJ, in a press release dated May 16, announced the unsealing of two indictments against this individual, shedding light on the intricate web of criminal activities that have the potential to disrupt vital systems and compromise national security.
Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, who is known by various aliases such as m1x, Wazawaka, Uhodiransomwar, and Boriselcin, was identified as the accused individual after the unsealed charges made his identity public.
A Multi-Faceted Attack
According to a press release from the DOJ, Matveev’s attack was directed against a variety of targets across the US mainland, including law enforcement organizations in New Jersey and Washington, DC, as well as the healthcare industry and a number of other fields worldwide.
Federal officials announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Matveev on Tuesday.
According to court documents, federal officials have charged Matveev with conspiring to transmit ransom demands, conspiring to damage protected computers, and intentionally damaging protected computers.
He faces more than 20 years behind bars if found guilty of his crimes.
Russian Hacker Makes Easy $200 Million
Ransomware variations of LockBit, Babuk, and Hive were used in the attack, which dates all the way back to 2020. According to reports, Matveev demanded up to $400 million and seized $200 million.
James E. Dennehy, FBI-Newark special agent in charge, said:
“These malicious actors believe they can operate with impunity – and don’t fear getting caught because they sit in a country where they feel safe and protected. That may be the case now, but the safe harbor may not exist forever.”
In quotes by USAToday and published on Yahoo! News, Dennehy added that when they have an opportunity, they will do “everything in our power to bring Matveev and his ilk to justice.”
The Russian hacker allegedly launched global attacks on hospitals, government organizations, and other targets using several ransomware variants from his base of operations in Russia.
“These international crimes demand a coordinated response. We will not relent in imposing consequences on the most egregious actors in the cybercrime ecosystem,” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the DOJ Criminal Division, said of Matveev.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has listed Matveev as one of the most wanted cybercriminals. The FBI describes Matveev’s connections to Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg, Russia, and asks people all over the world to be on the lookout for his distinctive physical features, including four fingers on his left hand and a tattoo sleeve on his right arm.
Coordinated Effort Needed To Defend Key Infra
The charges brought against Matveev mark a step forward in the process of holding accountable those who are responsible for disrupting key infrastructure, as law enforcement agencies continue their fight against cyber threats on a global scale.
In 2022, there were 23% fewer ransomware attacks than the year before. It is predicted that there were 236.1 million ransomware assaults worldwide in the first six months of 2022, data by AAG IT shows.
The need for joint effort to defend the digital landscape and susceptible institutions from the potentially devastating impacts of cyberattacks is highlighted by the requirement for international cooperation to combat these crimes.
-Featured image from Telangana Today
Ryuk Ransomware Gang’s Crypto Broker Gets Light Sentence After a Guilty Plea
Denis Dubnikov, a founder of two OTC trading desks in Russia tied to ransomware attacks, was sentenced to no jail time and forfeiture of $2,000 last week after a guilty plea, court documents show.
Breaking: Europol seizes $46M from crypto mixer after $2.88B allegedly laundered
Law enforcement officials allege that ChipMixer laundered 152,000 BTC ($2.88 billion) over the past five years.
Russia-Ukraine war: How both sides of the conflict have used crypto to win
While tens of millions worth of crypto were donated to Ukraine in the last year, pro-Kremlin groups have also leveraged digital currencies to buy military supplies and spread propaganda.
Ransomware Gang Conti Has Re-Surfaced and Now Operates as Three Groups: TRM Labs
Crypto investors under attack by two new malware, reveals Cisco Talos
Since Dec. 2022, the two malicious files — MortalKombat ransomware and Laplas Clipper malware threats — have been actively scouting the Internet for stealing cryptocurrencies from unwary investors.
How to protect against crime in the metaverse
To protect against crime in the metaverse, take precautions, such as using secure passwords, and report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement.
US Justice Department seizes website of prolific ransomware gang Hive
The group is known to have targeted critical infrastructure, healthcare providers and more over the past two years.
Enforcement goes on with Bitzlato action — Law Decoded, Jan. 16-23.
Anatoly Legkodymov, the founder of China-based crypto firm Bitzlato, was arrested under suspicion of money laundering related to illicit Russian finance.
Cybercrooks to ditch BTC as regulation and tracking improves: Kaspersky
The cybersecurity firm predicted that crypto-related cybercrime won’t slow down in 2023, but it will move on from Bitcoin as a source of payment.
US Treasury sanctions Iran-based ransomware group and associated Bitcoin addresses
The Office of Foreign Asset Control sanctioned 7 Bitcoin addresses allegedly connected to Iranian nationals Ahmad Khatibi Aghada and Amir Hossein Nikaeed Ravar.
FBI seeks Bitcoin wallet information of ransomware attackers
The FBI, along with two other federal agencies, CISA and MS-ISAC, asked U.S. citizens to report information that helps track the whereabouts of the hackers.
‘Cryptojacking’ rises 30% to record highs despite crypto slump: Report
Cryptojacking has become a lucrative choice for cybercriminals as many victims are unaware they have been compromised.
Dutch University set to recover more than twice the paid BTC ransom in 2019
The university reluctantly paid €200,000 in Bitcoin in December 2019 to avoid losing critical research data and resources.
Infamous North Korean hacker group identified as suspect for $100M Harmony attack
A new report suggests that a notorious North Korea-affiliated hacking group may be behind last week’s $100 million Harmony attack.
Crypto market crash wipes out millions from North Korea’s stolen crypto funds
While North Korea leads the world in crypto crime, crypto analytic firms have estimated that DPRK hackers have found it increasingly difficult to launder stolen crypto funds.