Quỳnh Chi
Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, accused of being the leader of the LockBit ransomware gang (Photo: NCA).
According to the U.S. State Department's press office, a federal grand jury in New Jersey has indicted 31-year-old Khoroshev for developing LockBit and plotting numerous ransomware attacks targeting victims in the U.S. and worldwide.
The U.S. State Department has announced a reward of $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of this individual for "engaging, conspiring, or attempting to engage in transnational organized cybercrime as the leader of the LockBit ransomware hacker group."
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has accused Khoroshev of developing and managing this malicious cyber network, targeting over 2,000 victims and collecting over $100 million in ransom, causing billions of dollars in damages globally.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Khoroshev hails from Voronezh, a city in Russia located about 50km south of Moscow.
The U.S. government has also imposed sanctions on Khoroshev, prohibiting any transactions with this individual. Violating the sanctions, including paying ransom to hackers, may result in severe penalties and prosecution.
On May 7, Australia and the UK also imposed sanctions on Khoroshev. A law enforcement task force led by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) announced that this Russian national, known as LockBitSupp, is the administrator and developer of LockBit.
In March, LockBitSupp stated that the law enforcement activities of these countries did not affect the group's operations. "I cannot be intimidated. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," LockBitSupp told The Record news agency.
