Organizations hit by the Royal and Akira ransomware groups are facing a new threat as a malicious actor pretends to be a security researcher, promising to hack back the initial attacker and delete stolen victim data. These ransomware groups employ the double extortion tactic, encrypting systems and threatening to leak stolen information unless a ransom is paid. Cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf has uncovered instances where victims who paid a ransom were approached by an imposter claiming ethical hacking expertise, offering to erase the stolen data on the attackers’ servers for a fee of up to five Bitcoins (around $190,000).
Arctic Wolf’s report highlights two cases in October and November 2023, where the fake researcher contacted organizations previously compromised by Royal and Akira ransomware. In the first case, the imposter posed as the ‘Ethical Side Group’ (ESG), initially attributing the attack to the ‘TommyLeaks’ gang before claiming access to Royal’s server. The second incident involved the scammer using the name ‘xanonymoux,’ offering to delete files on Akira’s servers or provide access to the actor’s server. Notably, both attempts shared ten common phrases in their initial communications, suggesting the same individual was behind both.
Ransomware attacks pose ongoing challenges for victims, and these scam attempts by fake ethical hackers add another layer of complexity and risk. The imposter’s deceptive tactics exploit the vulnerable position of victims who have already paid a ransom, compounding the financial burden and highlighting the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by organizations in the aftermath of ransomware incidents. The incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance and comprehensive cybersecurity measures to mitigate the evolving and diverse threats associated with ransomware attacks.
