LockBit Ransomware Developer Arrested in Israel at Request of US

Dual Russian and Israeli national has been arrested in Israel and will be extradited to the US to face charges related to LockBit ransomware development.

The US Department of Justice has unsealed charges against a man with dual Russian and Israeli nationality accused of being involved in the development of the LockBit ransomware.

The suspect, 51-year-old Rostislav Panev, was arrested in Israel in August based on a request from the United States. Panev is currency in custody in Israel pending extradition to the US.

According to court documents, the man is accused of working as a LockBit ransomware developer from the group’s inception in 2019 until at least February 2024, when law enforcement announced dealing a major blow to the cybercrime operation after hacking its infrastructure.

Authorities say developers like Panev created the LockBit malware’s code and maintained the associated infrastructure.

The evidence against the man includes credentials ...