Ukrainian authorities have apprehended a 28-year-old native of the Kharkiv region accused of developing malware for the infamous LockBit and Conti ransomware operations. According to the police, the suspect had been working with Russian hacker groups, receiving payment in cryptocurrencies for his services.
The suspect allegedly developed “cryptors,” specialized software designed to mask malware as legitimate files, effectively evading detection by popular antivirus programs. These cryptors were used in the Conti ransomware attacks that targeted the computer networks of companies in the Netherlands and Belgium. During the raids conducted in Kyiv and the Kharkiv region, police seized computer equipment, mobile phones, and handwritten notes.
In separate news, a 16-year-old teen was arrested in France on suspicion of being involved in a malware rental business. The unnamed suspect, known online as “ChatNoir” and “Casquette,” is believed to be a key member of the Epsilon hacking group responsible for stealing data from French companies and media outlets.
A Zambian court has sentenced 22 Chinese nationals to long prison terms for their involvement in a multinational cybercrime operation that targeted individuals in Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. The sentences range from seven to eleven years of imprisonment. In addition to their prison terms, the defendants were fined amounts between $1,500 and $3,000.
Original Source: https://cyberpolice.gov.ua/news/atakuvaly-providne-pidpryyemstvo-u-niderlandax-ta-belgiyi-policzejski-vykryly-posobnyka-rosijskyx-xakeriv-4010/
Cyber Law and Cybercrime Investigation Blog: Immuniweb