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Canadian Ransomware Kingpin Charged in $27.6 Million Scheme

A Canadian national has been charged in connection with a massive NetWalker ransomware scheme that extorted tens of millions of dollars from victims worldwide, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, and educational institutions.

Sebastien Vachon-Desjardins, a 34-year-old resident of Gatineau, Quebec, was charged in the Middle District of Florida with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and substantive counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

According to court documents, Vachon-Desjardins allegedly obtained at least $27.6 million as a result of the offenses charged in the indictment. The NetWalker ransomware scheme is believed to have impacted numerous victims, taking advantage of the global COVID-19 pandemic to extort payments.

“We are striking back against the growing threat of ransomware by not only bringing criminal charges against the responsible actors, but also disrupting criminal online infrastructure and, wherever possible, recovering ransom payments extorted from victims,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The NetWalker action includes charges against Vachon-Desjardins, the seizure of approximately $454,530.19 in cryptocurrency from ransom payments, and the disablement of a dark web hidden resource used to communicate with NetWalker ransomware victims.

“This case illustrates the FBI’s capabilities and global partnerships in tracking ransomware attackers, unmasking them, and holding them accountable for their alleged criminal actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael F. McPherson of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office.

Vachon-Desjardins is believed to have operated as a developer in the NetWalker ransomware-as-a-service model, working with affiliates to identify and attack high-value victims. The scheme involved the use of Tor, a computer network designed to facilitate anonymous communication over the internet, to deliver ransom notes and instructions for payment to victims.