Two ransomware operators were arrested in Kiev, Ukraine, on September 28, following a coordinated international operation involving Europol. Authorities suspect the two hackers were involved in ransomware attacks on more than 100 companies, causing more than $150 million in damages.
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The arrest operation was carried out by the Ukrainian National Police, with the support of Europol, the FBI, Interpol and the French Gendarmerie.
Europol published a press release, in which it reported information about the arrest of the two criminals and the cooperation of the police services in this important operation.
Police searched seven properties and seized $375,000 in cash and two luxury vehicles worth €217,000. Authorities also froze $1.3 million in cryptocurrencies.
According to statements from Ukrainian police, one of the two people arrested for the ransomware attacks is a 25-year-old man believed to be a prominent member of a large criminal gang.
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However, the name of the ransomware gang the two criminals belonged to has not yet been revealed. Police authorities have not released this information as the investigation is ongoing.
In a press release, Europol said the suspects had been active since April 2020 and that their group was “known for extorting ransom demands of between 5 and 70 million euros.”
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Several security researchers have suggested that the two suspects arrested last week were members of the Revil ransomware gang, which has not been officially confirmed.
Additionally, a video of a search of one of the perpetrators’ homes was released by Ukrainian police. The video shows officers searching computers and tablets. Access to the perpetrators’ systems could allow security researchers to penetrate the ransomware gang’s infrastructure.
Source: Security Affairs
