A Ukrainian national has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity, including extortion, in connection with computers, for his role in a series of international ransomware attacks.
Artem Stryzhak, a Ukrainian citizen, was arrested in Spain in June 2024 and extradited to the United States on April 30, 2025. When sentenced, Stryzhak faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The charges against Stryzhak include conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity, including extortion, in connection with computers. His co-conspirator, Volodymyr Tymoshchuk, remains at large and is the subject of a $11 million reward offered by the United States Department of State.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Christopher J.S. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield, Illinois Field Office, announced the guilty plea.
The Nefilim ransomware was deployed to encrypt computer networks in countries around the world, including in the Eastern District of New York. These ransomware attacks caused millions of dollars in losses, both from ransomware payments and damage to victim computer systems.
Stryzhak’s co-defendant, Volodymyr Tymoshchuk, was an administrator of the Nefilim ransomware group, and a serial cybercriminal associated with multiple ransomware strains. The State Department is offering a reward of up to $11 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction or location of Tymoshchuk or his other co-conspirators.
Related Federal Cases
- Ercan Findikoglu, Computer Intrusion Conspiracy, New York 2016 · New York
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- Joshua Ikejimba, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, New York 2024 · Connecticut
- Daniel Pocock Files Civil Rights Lawsuit, New York NY, 2023 · Alabama
- Louis Pina, Access Device Fraud, New York 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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