The United States announced, on Tuesday, the provision of a ransom of 10 million dollars to a Russian hacker suspected of being responsible for computer attacks on police in Washington, schools or hospitals.
Mikhail Matveev is accused of using ransomware like LockBit, Babuk and Hive to extort at least $200 million from Russia, according to the US Department of Justice.
New Jersey federal prosecutor Philip Selinger said the hacker could have “encrypted and held hostage the data of as many victims, including hospitals, schools, associations and police” as the one in Washington.
He is alleged to have used several aliases, such as “Wazawaka”, “m1x”, or “Boriselcin”.
Ransomware uses access to compromised computer systems to encrypt or steal data. The hackers then demand payment, threatening not to decrypt or make this information public.
The State Department offered a $10 million ransom for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
If convicted, Mikhail Matveev faces more than 20 years in prison.
