The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed criminal charges against Evgenii Ptitsyn, a 42-year-old Russian national, for supposedly managing the sale, distribution, and operation of the Phobos ransomware, as the indictment made available today. On November 4, Ptitsyn had his initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland following his extradition from South Korea. Employed by affiliates worldwide, Phobos ransomware attacked over 1,000 public and private entities and orchestrated over $16 million in ransom payments.
“It’s only a matter of time, cybercriminals will be caught and brought to justice,” shared U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron in a statement detailed by theJustice Department. Ptitsyn’s scheme brought a variety of organizations, including government agencies and healthcare facilities, under its cyber attack umbrella, extorting them for millions. The Maryland office stands firm in its mission to combat such crimes and further prevention with partnerships across the private and academic sectors.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco articulated that international collaborations play a strategic role in the fight against ransomware threats, highlighting how Ptitsyn’s extradition resulted from global law enforcement unity. Ptitsyn allegedly profited vilely through extortion, affecting thousands of innocent victims before facing the prospect of justice in the United States.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department s Criminal Division, elucidated the indictment, stating that Ptitsyn, among his co-conspirators, wreaked havoc with their ransomware attacks. Working shoulder to shoulder with international partners is pivotal, as expressed by FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, who is grateful for the effort put forth to bring Ptitsyn into custody.
According to the allegations, beginning in at least November 2020, Ptitsyn was involved in a complex criminal operation, orchestrating ransomware attacks by providing the malignant Phobos software to other criminals. These nefarious affiliates hacked into computer networks and encrypted data, compelling victims to pay hefty ransoms to regain access. If convicted on all counts, Ptitsyn could face significant prison time: up to 20 years for each wire fraud count, 10 years for computer hacking, and five years for conspiracy.
The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case, with international legal collaboration facilitated by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Korean Ministry of Justice. Numerous international law enforcement agencies and Europol contributed to the operation, emphasizing cybersecurity enforcement’s global impact and cooperative nature.
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