Russia Arrests Infamous Cybercriminal Mikhail Matveev, Known as Wazawaka, for Ransomware Ties
Russian authorities have arrested Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, also known by aliases such as Wazawaka, Uhodiransomwar, m1x, and Boriselcin, on charges of developing ransomware and participating in multiple hacking groups.
The arrest marks a significant development in international efforts to combat ransomware. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the case, supported by substantial evidence, has been forwarded to the Central District Court of Kaliningrad for trial. While court documents describe the suspect as a "programmer," sources, including the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti, identify him as Matveev.
Links to Ransomware Operations
Matveev allegedly created malware designed to encrypt data from commercial organizations, demanding ransom for decryption. He has been linked to notorious ransomware groups such as Hive, LockBit, and Babuk, which have targeted high-profile organizations worldwide.
U.S. authorities have long sought Matveev’s arrest. In May 2023, the U.S. Justice Department indicted him for ransomware attacks, including:
- A June 2020 LockBit attack on a New Jersey law enforcement agency.
- An April 2021 Babuk attack on the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department.
- A May 2022 Hive ransomware assault on a nonprofit healthcare organization in New Jersey.
International Sanctions and Rewards
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Matveev for cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, including law enforcement. Additionally, the State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Source engadget.com
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