The US Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment accusing Russian citizen Alexander Viktorovich Ryzhenkov of using a variant of BitPaymer ransom software to attack numerous victims in Texas and throughout the US and hold their confidential data for ransom.
According to the indictment, beginning at least in June 2017, Ryzhenkov allegedly gained unauthorized access to information stored on victims’ computer networks.
Key Points
Russian citizen Alexander Ryzhenkov was charged with attacks on American companies using ransomware in the BitPaymer variant. He is wanted for his alleged involvement in ransom attacks and money laundering.
Ryzhenkov, a leading member of the Russian cybercrime organization Evil Corp, and his associates demanded millions in ransoms by encrypting victims' sensitive data.
The US Treasury Department added Ryzhenkov to the list of specially designated citizens, blocking American financial transactions with his participation.
Brief description
The US Department of Justice has charged Russian citizen Alexander Viktorovich Ryzhenkov with a series of attacks using ransomware against companies in Texas and throughout the United States. Using BitPaymer ransom software, Ryzhenkov allegedly gained unauthorized access to computer systems, encrypted confidential data and demanded ransom to prevent public disclosure of information. Despite the criminal's attempts to extort millions, American authorities made it clear that serious consequences await cybercriminals: they added Ryzhenkov to the Treasury Department's sanctions list and blocked his access to American financial systems.
Actionable conclusions
The indictment against Ryzhenkov underscores the growing threat of ransomware from Russian-linked hackers. Businesses must prioritize cybersecurity to avoid becoming a target, as attacks are costly whether a ransom is paid or not.
Information call
If you have any information about the Russian cybercriminal organization Evil Corp, its members and activities, please share it with us through our Whistle42 reporting system.
