Security News > 2024 > June > U.S. indicts Russian GRU hacker, offers $10 million reward

The U.S. indicted Russian national Amin Timovich Stigal for his alleged role in cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian government computer networks in an operation from the Russian foreign military intelligence agency prior to invading the country.

The announcement from the Department of Justice says that in January 2022 Stigal and members of the GRU used a U.S.-based company to distribute the WhisperGate pseudo-ransomware to systems at dozens of Ukrainian government entities to destroy data.

Apart from data wiping attacks, Stigal was also involved in exfiltrating sensitive data and leaking information to instill fear and uncertainty in Ukraine.

According to the indictment, the GRU's hacker was also involved in probing computers at a federal government agency in Maryland, in an attack that relied on the same infrastructure used to compromise Ukraine's government computers.

Rewards for Justice also announced a $10 million reward for the GRU hacker, providing a strong incentive for anyone holding information about Stigal's whereabouts to share them with the authorities in a secure manner, over the Tor network.

"Got info on Stigal, his activities, or associates? Contact us. You could be eligible for a reward and relocation" - Rewards for Justice.

News URL

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-indicts-russian-gru-hacker-offers-10-million-reward/