U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed a criminal complaint charging a dual Russian and Canadian national for alleged participation in the LockBit global ransomware campaign.
Mikhail Vasiliev, 33, of Bradford, Ontario, Canada, is in custody in Canada and awaiting extradition to the United States.
“This arrest is the result of over two-and-a-half-years of investigation into the LockBit ransomware group, which has harmed victims in the United States and around the world,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said. “It is also a result of more than a decade of experience that FBI agents, Justice Department prosecutors, and our international partners have built dismantling cyber threats. Let this be yet another warning to ransomware actors: working with partners around the world, the Department of Justice will continue to disrupt cyber threats and hold perpetrators to account. With our partners, we will use every available tool to disrupt, deter, and punish cyber criminals.”
Authorities indicated via court documents LockBit is a ransomware variant initially appearing in or around January 2020, maintaining it has become one of the most active and destructive ransomware variants in the world.
Court documents allege that Vasiliev participated in the LockBit campaign and is charged with conspiracy to intentionally damage protected computers and transmit ransom demands. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
“The FBI’s persistent investigative efforts, in close collaboration with our federal and international partners, illustrates our commitment to using all of our resources to ensure we protect the American public from these global cyber threat actors,” FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said.