Ransomware Ringleader Lands in Hot Water: US Court Welcomes Extradited Cyber Villain
Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, allegedly led the Phobos ransomware operation targeting over 1,000 victims. Extradited from South Korea, he’s now in the US facing charges of wire fraud and computer hacking. Phobos ransomware affiliates extorted over $16 million. If convicted, Ptitsyn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years per wire fraud count.
Hot Take:
Evgenii Ptitsyn, the cybercriminal with a name that sounds like a rejected Harry Potter spell, finally faces the music in the US. From running a global ransomware empire to now potentially running a prison book club, it seems his extradition from South Korea to Maryland is the ultimate “Phobos” phobia!
Key Points:
- Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, has been extradited to the US to face charges related to Phobos ransomware.
- Phobos ransomware has victimized over 1,000 entities worldwide and extorted over $16 million.
- The ransomware operation began around November 2020, involving hacking and extortion.
- Ptitsyn and his affiliates sold access to the ransomware to other criminals.
- Ptitsyn faces multiple charges, with potential penalties reaching up to 20 years in prison per count.
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