DOJ Hunts Alleged Russian Ransomware Hacker by Offering $10 Million Reward

Urian B., Tech Times 17 May 2023, 01:05 am

The alarming rise of cybercrimes and ransomware attacks is an ongoing global issue, and this recent indictment against Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, also known as Wazawaka, is just the latest high-profile eruption in a tremendous battle to combat these heinous and costly crimes.

Matveev's Accusations Lead to Investigation and $10 Million Reward

According to the story by Gizmodo, Matveev has been accused of not only conspiring with the Lockbit, Babuk, and Hive ransomware gangs to extort over $400 million from victims but also of directly executing numerous ransomware attacks in which he received over $200 million in ransom payments.

In a coordinated effort between the U.S. Department of Justice, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the New Jersey District Attorney's Office, Matveev's sophisticated crimes have been exposed and led to the assignment of a $10 million reward for any information leading to his capture and conviction.

Ransomware is malicious software, or malware, designed to deny access to a computer system until money, or a form of cryptocurrency, is paid. Although its origins date back to the late 1980s, ransomware debuted in the cybercrime world in 2019, when the STOP/DJVU ransomware family became the first to encrypt files and demand a ransom payment.

Babuk's Attack Against the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C.

After initial success, several other variants were released to attack vulnerable systems, many of which belonged to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and government institutions. The attacks span every sector and region, making it one of the most devastating cyber threats.

The Lockbit ransomware group first surfaced in January 2020, eventually conducting more than 1,400 attacks globally and receiving at least $78 million in ransom payments. Three months later, the Babuk group arrived and carried out at least 65 ransomware incidents, receiving at least $13 million in ransom payments.

Estimates show that Babuk, a British-based gang, implemented their malicious software against the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C., infecting the systems and threatening to reveal sensitive information unless a $4 million ransom was paid.

Consequences of Ransomware on Cybercriminals: The Case of Mikhail Pavlovitch Matveev

In June 2021, the Hive ransomware group unleashed their own attacks, affecting an estimated 1,400 victims and receiving at least $120 million in ransom payments. Matveev is named in both indictments against him, where he is charged with conspiring to transmit ransom demands and intentionally damaging protected computers.

If convicted, Matveev faces more than 20 years in prison. The DOJ still offers a $10 million reward for information leading to Matveev's arrest and conviction, as also noted in an article by Beam Start.

The fight against ransomware criminals is a long, arduous journey, with various law enforcement agencies and criminal justice professionals dedicating their time and resources to combat this escalating menace.

While cases like Mikhail Pavlovitch Matveev's provide a small hike of hope that the cybercriminals will eventually be held accountable, the reality is that these sophisticated gangs are growing in strength and capability.