Washington – A Ukrainian national, Oleksii Oleksiyovych Lytvynenko, 43, of Cork, Ireland, has been extradited to the United States after his arrest in July 2023. Lytvynenko faces charges related to the deployment of Conti ransomware, a variant that encrypted victims’ data and demanded ransoms for file recovery.
According to court documents, from 2020 to June 2022, Lytvynenko conspired with others to deploy the malware, which infected more than 1,000 victims globally. The conspirators reportedly extorted over $500,000 in cryptocurrency from victims in Tennessee and released stolen data of another victim.
Conti ransomware attacks resulted in at least $150 million in ransom payments as of January 2022, making it a significant threat to critical infrastructure worldwide. Lytvynenko is alleged to have controlled the stolen data and orchestrated the ransom notes sent to victims.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing ransomware actors globally. ‘Ransomware poses a significant threat to American citizens and businesses,’ Galeotti stated, adding that the Department would continue to hold cybercriminals accountable.
Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division highlighted the extradition as a demonstration of the FBI’s partnership with Irish law enforcement in combating cyber criminals. ‘We urge every organization to remain vigilant against ransomware intrusions,’ Leatherman said.
Lytvynenko is charged with computer fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, facing a maximum sentence of 25 years if convicted. Four other Conti conspirators are also under investigation. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Nashville, San Diego, and El Paso field offices, along with the U.S. Secret Service.
RELATED: Ukrainian National Extradited for Conti Ransomware
RELATED: Armenian Ransomware Kingpin Faces Federal Charges
Related Federal Cases
- Ukrainian National Extradited for Conti Ransomware · Washington
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Google Hit with Antitrust Win in New York AG’s Suit · New Hampshire
- Mansfield Man Hit with Bomb Threat Charges · Mississippi
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News