US Department of Justice sues leader of world's largest ransomware LockBit, identity revealed, million-dollar bounty offered

The latest announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) states that Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev is being charged for his involvement in developing, operating, and managing the LockBit ransomware criminal group. Additionally, law enforcement agencies are offering a reward of $10 million for information leading to his swift arrest and extradition.

Multi-Nation Effort Leads to Arrest of LockBit Ransomware Mastermind

An announcement revealed that Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev is facing criminal charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice in a federal court in New Jersey for allegedly creating, developing, and operating the LockBit ransomware group since September 2019. An undisclosed indictment reportedly lists up to 26 charges against him.

It is understood that Khoroshev, using aliases such as LockBitSupp and LockBit, was active on prominent Russian-language hacker forums XSS and Exploit, overseeing the development, sale, and marketing of the LockBit ransomware service RaaS.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury also announced the individual's photo and basic identity and imposed sanctions by freezing all his funds and assets in the U.S.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department has offered a $10 million reward for more detailed information on the 31-year-old Khoroshev to aid in his swift capture.

LockBit Generates Over $500 Million in Revenue in Four Years

The Department of Justice and FBI referred to LockBit as "one of the most prolific ransomware groups in the world" in a press release, stating that it has attacked over 2,000 victims globally, causing billions of dollars in losses and illegally obtaining over $500 million in ransom:

LockBit licenses its software to other cybercriminal organizations in exchange for a 20% cut of the ransom; Khoroshev personally made at least $100 million from it.

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized:

Today's indictment of LockBit developer Khoroshev symbolizes the FBI's ongoing disruption of the LockBit criminal ecosystem.

He added, "Khoroshev may view creating ransomware as an honor and disabling network infrastructure as a game, but the mission of holding those responsible accountable will not cease."

Reportedly, Khoroshev is the sixth individual charged in connection with the LockBit criminal ecosystem, with previous suspects still in custody awaiting trial.

FBI: Computer Systems Critical to Infrastructure Severely Disrupted

FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that Khoroshev is accused of conspiring in computer-related fraud and ransom activities, conspiring in telecommunications fraud, intentionally damaging protected computer systems, and stealing confidential information.