November 13, 2022
LockBit, a well-known ransomware operator that has previously claimed credit for attacks on technology giant Foxconn, British healthcare provider Advanced and IT giant Accenture, has suffered a major setback after Canadian authorities arrested one of its members.
According to The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), Mikhail Vasiliev, a dual Russian-Canadian citizen, was arrested on October 26 in Ontario. He is one of the most prolific ransomware operators in the world and is alleged to be involved in attacks on critical infrastructure and large industrial groups worldwide.
Following an investigation led by the French National Gendarmerie with the support of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, the FBI and Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police, he was discovered with eight computers, 32 external hard drives and 400,000 euros in cryptocurrencies.
He is said to have used the LockBit ransomware to carry out attacks on critical infrastructure and large industrial groups around the world. He is known for his exorbitant ransom demands of between 5 and 70 million euros.
Vasiliev is now awaiting extradition to the United States, where he is charged with conspiracy to intentionally damage protected computers and transmit ransom demands. If convicted, Vasiliev faces up to five years in prison.
The sources for this piece include an article in BleepingComputer.
