A Canadian man was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $21,500,000 today for his role in NetWalker ransomware attacks.
Sebastian Vachon-Desjardins, 35, of Gatineau, Quebec, was found guilty of participating in a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker, which has targeted dozens of victims worldwide.
The NetWalker ransomware has specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.
‘The defendant identified and attacked high-value ransomware victims and profited from the chaos caused by encrypting and stealing the victims’ data,’ said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Criminal Division.
‘Today’s sentence demonstrates that ransomware actors will face significant consequences for their crimes and exemplifies the Department’s steadfast commitment to pursuing actors who participate in ransomware schemes.’
Vachon-Desjardins was extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and Canada.
During the search, officers discovered and seized $742,840 in Canadian currency and 719 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $21,849,087 at the time of seizure and $14,463,993 as of today.
The FBI Tampa Field Office investigated the case.
Sebastian Vachon-Desjardins, Ransomware Attacks, Florida 2023
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/Respondent Name: Sebastian Vachon-Desjardins
Criminal Charges: Participating in a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker
City and State: Gatineau, Quebec
Exact Date with Month/Day/Year: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $21,500,000
Dollar Amounts: $21,500,000
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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