The U.S. Justice Department has unsealed an indictment against Russian national Aleksandr Viktorovich Ryzhenkov for his alleged role in deploying the BitPaymer ransomware to target numerous victims across Texas and the U.S.
According to the indictment, Ryzhenkov, starting in June 2017, gained unauthorized access to sensitive data from various companies, encrypting their files with the BitPaymer ransomware and demanding ransom payments for decryption keys. Victims were also threatened with the public release of their sensitive information unless the ransom was paid.
Ryzhenkov and his co-conspirators allegedly used phishing campaigns, malware, and software vulnerabilities to breach computer networks, demanding millions of dollars in ransom from their victims. He is currently believed to be in Russia, and the FBI has issued a wanted poster for his capture.
In tandem with the indictment, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated Ryzhenkov as a “specially designated national,” blocking his property in the U.S. and prohibiting financial institutions from conducting transactions with him.
“The Justice Department is using every tool available to fight ransomware,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “These criminals will face severe consequences for their actions.” The FBI has reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime, with Deputy Director Paul Abbate emphasizing the legal consequences for cybercriminals engaging in ransomware attacks.
