US and allies accuse Russian man of running ransomware gang that extorted hundreds of millions of dollars from victims

US, UK and Australian authorities on Tuesday announced sanctions and criminal charges against a 31-year-old Russian man for being the alleged mastermind of a cybercriminal group that has extorted $500 million in ransom payments from thousands of victim organizations in the US and worldwide.

US, UK and Australian authorities on Tuesday announced sanctions and criminal charges against a 31-year-old Russian man for being the alleged mastermind of a cybercriminal group that has extorted $500 million in ransom payments from thousands of victim organizations in the US and worldwide. Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev is accused of developing malicious software, recruiting hackers and overseeing operations for a crime group known as LockBit that has been described by experts as the most prolific ransomware gang in the world. The group’s victims included hospitals, schools and law enforcement agencies, and the hackers caused “broader losses and damage of billions of dollars,” according to an indictment unsealed in the District of New Jersey. People affiliated with LockBit claimed credit for a November ransomware attack that forced New Jersey-based Capital Health to cancel some patient appointments, and for ransomware attacks on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Fulton County. Khoroshev “personally pocketed $100 million,” or a fifth of LockBit’s extortion fees, Philip Sellinger, the US attorney for the district of New Jersey, said in a statement. Khoroshev is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion and wire fraud, among other crimes. CNN has attempted to contact him for comment. US officials did not identify where Khoroshev is located, but the State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Russia “continues to offer safe harbor for cybercriminals,” the Treasury Department said in a statement on Tuesday. Moscow has denied the allegation.