The FBI is offering a $10 million reward for the capture of Amin Timovich Stigal, a Russian hacker involved in extensive cyber attacks against the U.S. and Ukraine. Stigal, 22, is accused of collaborating with Russia’s GRU to launch damaging attacks on Ukrainian government networks just before the Russian invasion in February 2022. He targeted various Ukrainian ministries and U.S. government sites, including infrastructure in a Central European ally.
Stigal allegedly used malware known as WhisperGate to disrupt systems and steal data. The malware tricked victims with fake ransomware messages, demanding payments to unlock files that were instead deleted irreversibly. This attack led to significant data loss and chaos, demonstrating a high level of sophistication in cyber warfare tactics.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Stigal also stole and leaked sensitive data, including criminal and medical records of Ukrainian citizens. This was intended to create fear and undermine the security of Ukrainian governmental systems and personal information prior to the invasion.
An arrest warrant for Stigal was issued in Maryland on June 25, 2024, charging him with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and damage. Despite his social media presence, which provides little insight into his true identity, Stigal remains a key target for international law enforcement efforts to curb cyber threats.
