🗞️Australia's Cyber Sanctions Target LockBit Ransomware Leader Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev

Australia has targeted Russian citizen Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev with financial sanctions and a travel ban because he is a senior leader in the LockBit ransomware group. It is the second time that Australia's independent cyber sanctions framework has been used. This is part of ongoing coordinated international law enforcement action.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles said "We continue to see governments, critical infrastructure, businesses and households in Australia targeted by malicious cyber actors. The Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Federal Police have worked with international counterparts to link Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev to LockBit's senior leadership.

"Cyber sanctions are a key component of the Australian Government's work to deter cybercrime and help protect Australians by exposing the activities and identity of cyber criminals operating across jurisdictions."

Australian critical infrastructure, government, industry, and community sectors are all seeing more and more persistent and widespread ransomware activity from cybercriminals. The Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Federal Police worked with partners from other countries, like the UK and the US, during Operation Cronos to find Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev as a member of LockBit's top leadership.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

"Australia remains committed to promoting a rules-based cyberspace, grounded in international law and norms of responsible behaviour, and holding accountable those who flout the rules."

"Sanctions impose costs and consequences on individuals for their actions – we will continue to use them where and when appropriate."

Lockbit is a very active criminal ransomware group that tries to disrupt and destabilise important areas in order to make money. LockBit ransomware has been used against businesses in Australia, the UK, and the US. In 2022–23, 119 people in Australia were victims of this ransomware, which made up 18% of all ransomware incidents reported in Australia. There is a new rule in cyber sanctions that says giving Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev money or using or dealing with his money is illegal.

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Minister for Cyber Security, the Hon Clare O'Neil MP:

"Today's announcement demonstrates the Australian Government's ongoing commitment under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy to continue to deter and respond to malicious cyber activity.

"This sanction is an important step in breaking the ransomware business model, preventing cybercriminals from profiting from attacks on Australian citizens and businesses.

"The damage done by LockBit in Australia is significant. For too long, criminals like those behind LockBit have hidden in the shadows. Our government is changing that. Hunting down cyber criminals by working with our international partners to hack the hackers and punishing them where we can."

The framework is intended to disrupt and deter the perpetrators of malicious cyber activity, such as ransomware.

The Australian Government continues to discourage businesses and individuals from paying ransoms or extortion claims to cyber criminals and can provide help and advice.

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