WASHINGTON, June 15 U.S. authorities have arrested Russian citizen Ruslan Astamirov, whom they accuse of involvement in cyber extortion, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
The investigation, according to a press release, suspects that Astamirov, 20, directly perpetrated at least five LockBit malware attacks on computer systems in the US and other countries. hackers accused of using LockBit and a second detainee.
Young man faces two charges — conspiracy to commit wireline fraud and conspiracy to intentionally damage computer equipment and transfer ransom demands . The maximum penalty under the first article is 20 years in prison, under the second — five years.
US law enforcement agencies claim that hackers armed with LockBit carried out 1.4 thousand attacks on computer networks around the world, demanded for their unlocking totaling over $100 million and received «at least tens of millions» of cryptocurrencies from their victims.