Hacker Behind Kaseya Ransomware Attack Arrested And Arraigned In Texas

The alleged hacker behind the Kaseya ransomware attack, Yaroslav Vasinskyi, was recently extradited and prosecuted in Dallas, Texas. Vasinskyi was connected to the Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware group as well.

Vasinskyi Was Behind The Attack That Crippled Hundreds Of Companies

According to the Justice Department, the 22-year old Vasinskyi was behind the Kaseya ransomware attack that occurred in July 2021 and destroyed hundreds of businesses globally.

Vasinskyi was arrested when he was passing the border in Dorohusk, a Polish-Ukrainian border town.

Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Department of Justice would spare no means in identifying and arresting international cybercriminals who target American residents.

According to the indictment, Vasinskyi was responsible for the Kaseya attack as well as the attacks on several other companies. The REvil was also accused of being responsible for attacks against food suppliers such as JBS. As a result, JBS had to pay $11 million in Bitcoin in exchange for the key to get access to its network.

Vasinskyi, who also called himself ‘Rabotnik’ online, was among the masterminds behind REvil ransomware. He has also been a part of the REvil group since 2019 and, for that time, launched at least 2,500 attacks in total, making about $2.3 million from his ransom requests.

Vasinskyi is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers, damage to protected computers, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. For these crimes, he’s facing 115 years in prison, if convicted on all counts.