Russia Dismantles Revil Ransomware Group at U.S. Demand, Arrests 14 Members – Bitcoin News

Russian law enforcement agencies have disbanded the notorious hacking group Revil believed to be behind a ransomware attack involving cryptocurrencies in the United States. While Moscow is unlikely to hand over Russian citizens to Washington, the operation was at the behest of the United States despite heightened geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Russia’s FSB fights cybercrime group Revil

On Friday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced raids on Revil in the capital Moscow, St. Petersburg, Leningrad and Lipetsk regions together with the Interior Ministry’s Investigative Service (MVD). . Law enforcement officers searched 25 addresses and detained 14 alleged members of organized crime groups.

FSB details funds worth more than 426 million rubles ($5.6 million), including cryptocurrencies, $600,000 and 500,000 euros, as well as crypto wallets, computer equipment used for crime and 20 high-end vehicles purchased with money obtained from criminal activity Stressed in the press release:

As a result of the joint action of the FSB and the MVD, the organized criminal community ceased to exist and the information infrastructure used for criminal purposes was neutralized.

The FSB added that those arrested developed malware and organised the theft of funds from foreign bank accounts. Russian officials claim to have “established the complete composition of Revil” and its members’ involvement in “the illicit circulation of means of payment and documented illicit activities.”

US welcomes Russia’s actions against hackers

Russia’s main law enforcement agency also said the operation was carried out at the request of U.S. authorities, who shared information about Revil’s presumed leader and his attacks on foreign high-tech through malware used to encrypt data and extort money. corporate attack. decrypt.

Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that Moscow’s Tver court had detained two Russians until March 13 — 33-year-old entrepreneur and web developer Roman Muromsky had no previous convictions, while Andrei Bessonov was charged with Revil hacker. They were charged with crimes under Art Part 2. 187 — “Illegal circulation of means of payment” — Russian Criminal Code. The MVD has asked the court to take similar measures against three other detainees.

Revil accused of high profile Crypto Ransomware hits in the US including Colonial pipeline That led to a natural gas shortage on the U.S. East Coast last May. Its perpetrators used “Darkside” encryption software believed to have been developed by the group. Another case was an attack on JBS, the world’s largest meatpacking company, Reuters reported in June.

In its announcement, the FSB noted that Russia had informed U.S. authorities of the outcome of the operation. The U.S. welcomed the arrests, with Reuters citing a senior official saying: “We understand that one of the individuals arrested today is responsible for the attack on the Colonial Pipeline last spring.” A source familiar with the investigation told Interfax Russia will not extradite any Revil member with Russian citizenship to the United States, according to the Telegraph.

Do you want Russia and the US to cooperate on other cyberattack cases involving ransomware and cryptocurrencies? Let us know in the comments section below.

Lubomir Tasev

Lubomir Tassev, a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe, likes Hitchens’ famous quote: “Being a writer is who I am, not what I do.” Beyond crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and The economy is two other sources of inspiration.