Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, a Russian National, is allegedly a prolific ransomware affiliate currently based in Russia. Matveev has been linked to numerous ransomware variants including Lockbit, Babuk, and Hive. He has allegedly conducted significant attacks against both United States and worldwide businesses, including critical infrastructure.
Mikhail Matveev, a Russian hacker also known online as "Wazawaka" and "Boriselcin," defies the odds while being pursued by the FBI and sanctioned by the US government.
The FBI is offering $10 million for info leading to Matveev's arrest, making him one of the world's most wanted cybercriminals. Though, Matveev claims his life has not changed since being labeled a cybercriminal.
Matveev remarked in an online interview with TechCrunch, "We are Russian people; we are not afraid of the American government." He continued by saying that, in his opinion, the application of sanctions made his life "better."
In the face of an FBI manhunt, Matveev's assurance is notable. He said that because of the sanctions, Russia will not expel him, allowing him to stay within the nation. The Russian hacker shared that he decided to "burn" his passport, thereby ending his international trips, to reduce the chance of being captured outside of Russia. His most recent vacation was in 2014, when he traveled to Thailand and indulged in a scorpion, which he viewed "delicious."
Not a Fan of Ransomware
The US authorities put Mikhail Matveev in their sights earlier this year after accusing him of taking part in a "global ransomware campaign" that targeted victims all over the world. Matveev has been identified by the prosecution as "a prolific ransomware affiliate" who worked with ransomware organizations like Hive, LockBit, and Babuk to launch "significant attacks" against businesses and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and government institutions in the United States and other nations.
The FBI said Matveev "allegedly intentionally infected" the Metropolitan Police Department's systems with ransomware.
Matveev, though, has a distinct story to tell. He claims he "rented their software for my own purposes." He is not a ransomware advocate. He even exchanges memes with ransomware suspects since his indictment and penalties. Mateveev said he employed ransomware for controlled and real-world testing but has subsequently lost interest.
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Interestingly, Mikhail Matveev has continued to be active online, participating in X (formerly Twitter), speaking with cybersecurity publications, and even troll-ing the American government by creating T-shirts with his own FBI most wanted poster and selling them to his followers as merch.
The FBI has not yet responded to the Russian hacker's latest remarks.
Russian Hacker Wants to Boost Russia's IT Industry
Despite being well-known, Matveev has mostly kept quiet about his personal life while acting as a "wanted hacker." He disapproved of the word "hacker" and described himself as a practical specialist, according to FirstPost.
By posting videos of himself hacking while listening to Metallica and recording his hacking operations, Matveev appears to retain a casual attitude while being one of the FBI's most sought-after cybercriminals. It appears Matveev's life has not changed significantly after his indictment and sanctions, as long as he stays inside Russian boundaries.
Moreover, After losing a finger during a 2017 server cabinet installation, Matveev seemed more concerned with his injuries than his legal issues.
In an interview with The Record, Matveev highlighted his goal to illustrate that Russia has a robust IT industry and that one does not always need to travel to the US to succeed or pursue education. He also unveiled a cyber-hygiene scheme for young people to prevent foreign spy organizations from recruiting them.
Matveev noted that he wants to advance IT in Russia to unprecedented levels. "I'm self-educated. Self-taught. I had a desire to develop in this sphere. Without the desire, you can't achieve results," he said, as quoted by The Record.
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