Evgenii Ptitsyn, Ransomware Administration, Maryland 2023

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Table of Contents

Millions Lost to Phobos Ransomware Scheme

Evgenii Ptitsyn, 42, a Russian national, has been extradited from South Korea to face charges for administering the Phobos ransomware, which extorted more than $16 million in ransom payments from over 1,000 public and private entities in the United States and around the world.

According to the indictment, Ptitsyn and his co-conspirators ran the Phobos ransomware group, which committed ransomware attacks against schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and a federally recognized tribe. The group allegedly hacked large corporations, as well as government agencies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure.

“It’s only a matter of time, cybercriminals will be caught and brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland is committed to bringing cybercriminals to justice and working with the private sector and the academic community to prevent and disrupt their activities.”

Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division stated, “The FBI is working tirelessly to ensure that ransomware actors, both developers and affiliates, face the consequences of their actions. We know it takes strong partnerships to disrupt cybercriminal networks, and the FBI must thank our partners for the important roles they play in carrying out this mission.”

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to combating the threats posed by ransomware like Phobos. “Evgenii Ptitsyn allegedly extorted millions of dollars of ransom payments from thousands of victims and now faces justice in the United States thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of law enforcement agencies around the world — from the Republic of Korea to Japan to Europe and finally to Baltimore, Maryland.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri said, “Ptitsyn and his co-conspirators hacked not only large corporations but also schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and a federally recognized tribe, and they extorted more than $16 million in ransom payments. Ptitsyn’s indictment, arrest, and extradition reflect the Criminal Division’s commitment to leading the fight against the international scourge of ransomware.”