Israel Arrests Developers Of LockBit Ransomware.

According to a criminal complaint that was made public, US law enforcement has been attempting to takedown the LockBit Ransomware as-a-service group for a number of years. In August last year, one of the operation's main developers was previously known. 51-year-old Rostislav Panev, who holds dual citizenship with Israel and Russia, is being extradited to the United States to face charges with two other individuals who are alleged to have worked for LockBit in a Similar Capacity, not just to create the Ransomware but also tools that affiliates employed.

The Justice Department's announcement regarding the arrest claims that Panev was involved in the Department of the LockBit Ransomware from it's inception in 2019 and went on to create one of the most widespread Ransomware operations globally. Panev possessed the source code for the Ransomware and an affiliate program called " Steal Bit " that was used to exfiltrate Data, according to the Justice Department, he also had admin credentials for LockBit's Dark web online repository at the time of his detention.

The Login credentials for the affiliates LockBit control panel were also on his PC. According to the Justice Department's statement, Panev acknowledge his involvement in the LockBit Ransomware scheme. In a statement regarding the arrests, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, " The Justice Department's work going after the World's most dangerous Ransomware schemes includes not only dismantling networks, but also finding and bringing to Justice the individuals responsible for building and running them."

Three of the individuals who we allege are responsible for LockBit's Cyber attacks against thousands of victims are now in custody, and we will continue to work alongside our patners to hold accountable all those who lead and enable Ransomware attacks.