ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – In a major blow to the world of cybercrime, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger revealed the details of the takedown of LockBit’s $500M ransomware empire at the 2024 New Jersey State Bar Association conference.
LockBit, once the most active and destructive ransomware variant in the world, was disrupted in an 11-nation operation led by the FBI and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. The District of New Jersey’s indictment of LockBit’s developer and leader, Russian national Dimitry Khoroshev, marked a significant milestone in the fight against cybercrime.
The indictment alleges that Khoroshev acted as LockBit’s leader from its inception and that the group allegedly attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. LockBit victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law enforcement agencies.
“The indictment alleges that Khoroshev and his conspirators extracted at least $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, such as lost revenue, incident response, and recovery,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
To date, six individuals, including Khoroshev, have been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey for their participation in the LockBit conspiracy. The charges and allegations against the defendants in the LockBit case are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Other topics discussed by the panel included the recent spike in cryptocurrency confidence scams and tech support schemes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains devoted to combatting all forms of cybercrime and obtaining justice for its victims.
As the cybercrime landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that law enforcement agencies are committed to staying one step ahead of these threats. The takedown of LockBit’s ransomware empire is a significant victory in the fight against cybercrime, and it serves as a reminder that those who engage in these activities will be held accountable.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public from cyber threats and bring those responsible to justice. In the meantime, individuals and businesses are reminded to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from cybercrime.
Related Federal Cases
- LockBit Kingpin Charged with $500M Ransom Heist · New Jersey
- UK Hacker Jubair Charged in $115M Ransomware Spree · New Jersey
- Anthony Clark Convicted in $16M FIFA Coin Heist · Texas
- NJ Teen Pleads Guilty to Bomb Threats in Alpine, Texas · North Carolina
- Sergey Vovnenko Busted in Global Hacking Conspiracy · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
