US and UK sanction 11 Russian ‘Trickbot’ cyber gang members to disrupt operations.
The United States and the United Kingdom Sanction Cybercrime Gangs
The United States and the United Kingdom have taken decisive action against the Russia-based Trickbot and Conti cybercrime gangs. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on Thursday that they have sanctioned 11 individuals involved in these criminal organizations.
These sanctions carry significant consequences. Any U.S. or U.K. organization that pays a ransom to any of the designated individuals following a ransomware attack may themselves face sanctions. Additionally, all property and interests in property belonging to these 11 individuals must be blocked and reported to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Banks are also at risk if they knowingly facilitate large transactions or provide significant financial services to these individuals or entities.
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Simultaneously, the Department of Justice is unsealing indictments against nine individuals, seven of whom are also subject to the sanctions. These individuals are connected to the Trickbot malware and Conti ransomware cybercrime schemes.
“The United States is resolute in our efforts to combat ransomware and respond to disruptions of our critical infrastructure,” stated Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson.
The 11 sanctioned individuals include both senior and junior members of the organizations. This includes managers, recruiters, developers, and coders who have played a significant role in assisting the Trickbot group in its operations.
The cybercrime group has targeted various entities, including the U.S. government, companies, and hospitals. Their activities were particularly rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on critical infrastructure and healthcare providers in the United States.
According to the UK’s National Crime Agency, this cybercrime gang has extorted approximately $180 million globally, with at least 29 million GBP coming from victims in the U.K.
“These cyber criminals thrive off anonymity, moving in the shadows of the internet to cause maximum damage and extort money from their victims,” emphasized U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. “Our sanctions show they cannot act with impunity. We know who they are and what they are doing.”
One notable incident involved the Trickbot group launching a ransomware attack on three medical facilities in Minnesota in 2020. This attack disrupted their computer networks and telephones, leading to the diversion of ambulances. Members of the Trickbot group openly boasted about the ease of targeting these medical facilities and the speed at which ransoms were paid. It is believed that members of the Trickbot group have ties to Russian intelligence services.
“The United States is resolute in our efforts to combat ransomware and respond to disruptions of our critical infrastructure,” reiterated Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson. “In close coordination with our British partners, the United States will continue to leverage our collective tools and authorities to target these malicious cyber activities.”
These sanctions represent an ongoing collaboration between the United States and the United Kingdom in their fight against cybercrime.
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