Britain targets Evil Corp in new cybercrime sanctions

Britain has imposed sanctions on 16 members of the Russian cyber-crime group Evil Corp, accusing the group of conducting cyber-attacks on NATO allies under orders from Russian intelligence. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the move is part of a coordinated effort with the US and Australia to combat significant cyber threats. Evil Corp’s leader, Maksim Yakubets, has been linked to Russia’s intelligence agencies, and a $5 million bounty was placed on him by the US in 2019.

The Russian cyber-crime group Evil Corp has been linked to numerous illegal activities, including ransomware attacks through its affiliate, LockBit. Major organisations like Boeing and Britain’s Royal Mail have been among their targets. Evil Corp’s deep connections with Russian intelligence agencies, such as the Federal Security Service (FSB), Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and military intelligence (GRU), underscore the increasing worries about cybercrime with state sponsorship. These links point to the potential use of cyber-criminals for espionage and cyber-attacks against global entities.

Alongside asset freezes and travel bans on the designated individuals, British officials disclosed that Maksim Yakubets’ father-in-law, a former FSB official, contributed to protecting Evil Corp. Additionally, the US Department of Justice has indicted Yakubets’ associate, Aleksandr Ryzhenkov, for conducting ransomware attacks throughout Texas and beyond. This coordinated global action highlights an ongoing commitment to combating cybercrime and safeguarding international security.