Two ‘prolific’ ransomware operators arrested in Ukraine, Europol announces

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The FBI and law enforcement in France and Ukraine coordinated the raid, which led to the seizure of $ 375,000 in cash and two luxury vehicles, and the freezing of $ 1.3 million in crypto -currencies, according to Europol.

The arrests are a notable victory for US law enforcement, who have tried to step up pressure on cybercriminals based in Eastern Europe and Russia following a series of ransomware attacks that have cost American businesses millions of dollars.

Europol called the two suspects “prolific”, having demanded between 5 and 70 million euros (5.8 million and 81.3 million dollars) from the victims. But an EU law enforcement spokesperson declined to identify the two or the type of ransomware they allegedly used, citing legal reasons and an ongoing investigation.

“The organized criminal group is suspected of having committed a series of targeted attacks against very large industrial groups in Europe and North America from April 2020,” said Europol spokeswoman Claire Georges .

CNN premiere: Biden administration summons 30 countries to quell ransomware threat

Four FBI members were in Ukraine to help coordinate the raid, the Europol statement said. The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

Mark Arena, CEO of cybersecurity firm Intel 471, said he believed the two arrested were “affiliates” rather than “primary operators” of a well-known ransomware service.

“A number of players are using or have used more than one ransomware service, so we caution against linking this action to a single specific ransomware service,” Arena told CNN.

John Fokker, former Dutch police cybercrime investigator, said it often takes years for law enforcement to “build a strong case” against ransomware gangs, who publicly brag about their victims but operate in the shadows. In this case, Europol said investigators had held a dozen meetings in preparation for the raid.

“Ukraine has shown itself willing and determined to stop ransomware criminals within its borders, which has been a bigger challenge with Russia,” Fokker, who is now responsible for cybercriminals, told CNN. -investigations at McAfee Enterprise.

In June, President Joe Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to crack down on cybercriminals operating from Russian soil, but US officials have been skeptical of Moscow’s willingness to do so.

The White House plans later this month to convene a meeting of 30 countries to step up global efforts to deal with the threat of ransomware, as CNN first reported.

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