Lytvynenko’s extradition follows his arrest in Ireland in July 2023, where he was held prior to transfer to U.S. custody. Court documents reveal he was involved in a conspiracy from 2020 to June 2022, targeting computer networks to encrypt data and demand ransom payments, particularly in cryptocurrency. The Conti ransomware variant has been particularly damaging, affecting over 1,000 victims across multiple states and countries and earning an estimated $150 million in ransom by January 2022. In Tennessee, Lytvynenko and his co-conspirators allegedly extorted over $500,000 from two victims and publicly disclosed data from a third victim.
This case underscores U.S. law enforcement’s commitment to addressing global ransomware threats, evidenced by Lytvynenko’s continued involvement in cybercrime up until his arrest. If convicted, he faces significant prison time for his actions, as the Justice Department seeks to hold cybercriminals accountable. This recent extradition demonstrates the ongoing efforts to combat ransomware, with prior cases leading to over 180 convictions and restoring substantial amounts to victims since 2020.
👉 Pročitaj original: Cyber Security News
