Phobos Ransomware Admin as Part of International Hacking Operation

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed criminal charges today against Evgenii Ptitsyn, a 42-year-old Russian national accused of being a key figure in the notorious Phobos ransomware syndicate.

Ptitsyn was extradited from South Korea and made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on November 4.

Phobos ransomware has been linked to over 1,000 cyberattacks on public and private entities worldwide, resulting in more than $16 million in ransom payments from victims, according to prosecutors.

The ransomware specifically targeted critical sectors, including schools, hospitals, government agencies, and businesses, leaving a trail of encrypted data and financial devastation.

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Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the collaborative effort in Ptitsyn’s capture: “Thanks to the tireless work of law enforcement agencies across multiple countries, we’ve brought an alleged cybercriminal ...