The US on Tuesday announced it would offer a $10 million ransom for a Russian hacker suspected of computer attacks on Washington police, schools or hospitals.
According to the US Department of Justice, Mikhail Matveev is accused of using ransomware such as LockBit, Babuk and Hive to extort at least $200 million from Russia.
The hacker “encrypted and held hostage the data of many victims, including hospitals, schools, clubs and the police,” like that of Washington, New Jersey federal prosecutor Philip Sellinger said.
He is said to have used many false names, such as “Wazawaka”, “m1x” or “Boriselcin”.
The ransomware used access to vulnerable computer systems to encrypt or steal data. The hackers then demand payment and threaten not to decrypt or publish this information.
The State Department offered a $10 million ransom for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
If convicted, Mikhail Matveyev faces more than 20 years in prison.