Moldovan law enforcement has apprehended a 45-year-old foreign man. He is suspected of playing a role in multiple ransomware attacks. These attacks specifically targeted Dutch companies back in 2021. According to official statements, the suspect is wanted internationally. The charges against him include committing several serious cybercrimes. These encompass ransomware attacks, blackmail attempts, and the act of money laundering, all directed at companies located within the Netherlands.
During the arrest operation, which involved a thorough search of the suspect’s residence situated in Moldova, authorities successfully seized a substantial amount of potential evidence.
This included a significant sum of over €84,000 in cash. Additionally, they confiscated an electronic wallet, which could hold cryptocurrency. The seized items also comprised two laptops, a mobile phone, and a tablet, all potentially used in the alleged crimes. Furthermore, law enforcement officials found six bank cards, two data storage devices likely containing crucial information, and six memory cards that could hold digital evidence related to the attacks.
While the identity of the arrested suspect has not been publicly disclosed, it has been confirmed that his detention followed the search of his dwelling in Moldova. Notably, the individual is believed to have been directly involved in at least one significant ransomware attack. This particular attack targeted the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), resulting in substantial material damage estimated to be around €4.5 million.
This damaging attack took place in February of 2021.
In March of 2023, law enforcement agencies from both Germany and Ukraine collaborated in targeting suspected key members of a cybercrime group believed to be responsible for large-scale attacks employing DoppelPaymer ransomware. Germany had also previously issued arrest warrants for three individuals alleged to be key operatives within the DoppelPaymer group – Igor Olegovich Turashev, Igor Garshin (also known as Igor Garschin), and Irina Zemlianikina – who are considered to be the “masterminds of the criminal group.”
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