Alleged Russian Hacker Charged and Sanctioned for Role in $200 Million Ransomware Rampage
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US authorities announced criminal charges, economic sanctions, and a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Mikhail Matveev, known online as Wazawaka, a Russian accused of participating in a global ransomware campaign called Babuk, whose victims allegedly included DC police, an airline, and other American industries.
The Justice Department unsealed an indictment alleging that Matveev, using the online monikers Wazawaka, m1x, Broriscelcin, and Uhodiransomwar, committed intentional damage to a protected computer and threats relating to a protected computer. Each charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Matveev was charged with similar crimes in a federal indictment in New Jersey.
Justice said that Matveev was a member of three ransomware gangs that collectively demanded $400 million from victims and received nearly $200 million in ransom payments. According to the indictment, Matveev and Babuk conspirators deployed Babuk ransomware against DC polic…
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