US Department of State – Reward Offers for Information to Bring Conti Ransomware Variant Co-Conspirators to Justice.
The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10,000,000 for information leading to the identification and/or location of any individual(s) who hold a key leadership position in the Conti ransomware variant transnational organized crime group. In addition, the Department is also offering a reward of up to $5,000,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of any individual in any country conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in a Conti variant ransomware incident.
The Conti ransomware group has been responsible for hundreds of ransomware incidents over the past two years. The FBI estimates that as of January 2022, there had been over 1,000 victims of attacks associated with Conti ransomware with victim payouts exceeding $150,000,000, making the Conti Ransomware variant the costliest strain of ransomware ever documented. In April 2022, the group perpetrated a ransomware incident against the Government of Costa Rica that severely impacted the country’s foreign trade by disrupting its customs and taxes platforms. In offering this reward, the United States demonstrates its commitment to protecting potential ransomware victims around the world from exploitation by cyber criminals. We look to partner with nations willing to bring justice for those victims affected by ransomware.
Thoughts
$10,000,000 paid in US Dollars or Bitcoin?
Years ago when the internet was very young, my first technology mentor “Bud” said always have a non technology based backup. So when the sh*t hits the fan, technology failure doesn’t put you out of business.
Obviously Costa Rica didn’t listen to “Bud”.
References:
Reference 1: US State Department – Reward Offers for Information to Bring Conti Ransomware Variant Co-Conspirators to Justice.
Reference 2: Washington Post – Costa Rica shows the damage ransomware can do to a country
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