Authorities in Canada have arrested an alleged member of the LockBit gang, in keeping with the Department of Justice. Mikhail Vasiliev, a twin Russian-Canadian citizen, is awaiting extradition to the US, the place he’s charged with conspiracy to deliberately harm protected computer systems and to transmit ransom calls for. Vasiliev faces a jail sentence of as much as 5 years and a superb of as much as $250,000 if he’s convicted.
According to the grievance, the LockBit ransomware first emerged round January 2020, and the FBI has been investigating these behind it since March of that 12 months. The DOJ claims LockBit is “one of the most active and destructive ransomware variants in the world,” having claimed not less than 1,000 victims, . The company added that members of the LockBit gang have demanded not less than $100 million in complete ransom funds. The gang has claimed tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from victims, in keeping with the DOJ.
“This arrest is the result of over two-and-a-half years of investigation into the LockBit ransomware group, which has harmed victims in the United States and around the world,” deputy lawyer common Lisa O. Monaco “Let this be yet another warning to ransomware actors: working with partners around the world, the Department of Justice will continue to disrupt cyber threats and hold perpetrators to account. With our partners, we will use every available tool to disrupt, deter and punish cyber criminals.”
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