- Two high ranking members of a ransomware gang have been arrested in an international multi-agency operation.
- The two ransomware attackers were arrested in the Ukraine
- $1.3 million in cryptocurrencies were seized alongside cars and cash
A joint operation between multiple enforcement agencies has seen two members of a “prolific” ransomware gang arrested and $1.3 million in cryptocurrencies seized. The pair were allegedly part of a group responsible for ransom demands of up to €70 million ($81 million) and have been active in Europe and North America, targeting “large industrial groups” for the past 18 months. The raids, carried out in the Ukraine, were conducted over seven properties and resulted in the seizure of cash and vehicles as well as cryptocurrencies.
Ransomware Attacks Given Higher Priority
Ransomware attacks have been the scourge of private and public enterprises alike, with the last two years seeing an uptick in such activities, to the point where U.S. president Joe Biden elevated ransomware attacks to the same level as terrorist attacks. This afforded ransomware taskforces more resources to tackle the threat, an opportunity they have clearly seized on.
Raid Captures Two High Ranking Attackers
Interpol didn’t give too much away in their report of the coordinated strike on the ransomware gang, only stating that the raids took place in late September and involved the French National Gendarmerie, the Ukrainian National Police, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Interpol, and Europol. $375,000 in cash was seized alongside two luxury vehicles worth €217,000 ($251,000), while $1.3 million in cryptocurrencies was frozen.
The ransomware group would target the companies, steal data and threaten to sell it on the dark web unless ransoms were paid in return for decryption keys. The international law enforcement effort led to the identification in Ukraine of the two individuals who authorities will be hoping will lead them to other members of the group.
