Suspected LockBit dev, facing US extradition, 'did it for the money'

An alleged LockBit ransomware developer is in custody in Israel and awaiting extradition to the United States.

Israeli law enforcement arrested Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, in August at the request of the US.

Panev faces 41 counts, including computer-related extortion, conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and intentional damage to a protected computer, according to a criminal complaint [PDF] filed in the District of New Jersey that was unsealed on December 20.

With the addition of Panev, seven LockBit members have been charged with crimes and three have been arrested.

"We started this year with a coordinated international disruption of LockBit – the most damaging ransomware group in the world," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. "Fast forward to today and three LockBit actors are in custody thanks to the diligence of our investigators and our strong partnerships around the ...