US and UK agencies go after anonymity in latest LockBit hit

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And he might’ve gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling government agencies.

In simultaneous announcements on May 7 that felt only slightly like the finale to a Scooby-Doo episode, the US Department of Justice and the UK’s National Crime Agency pulled the mask off the individual they allege to be behind the digital persona known as “LockBitSupp”—someone the government orgs claim to be a leading figure behind the operation of the ransomware group LockBit.

“Through the meticulous work of our investigators and prosecutors, we have unmasked the man behind ‘LockBitSupp,’” Nicole M. Argentieri, principal deputy assistant attorney general, head of the criminal division, said in a May 7 statement, naming the Russian individual believed to be behind LockBitSupp—Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev—and declaring a 26-count indictment against him.

Additionally, the US State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Khoroshev’s apprehension.

The NCA’s statement also provided a photo “identity reveal” of Khoroshev, stating he will now face asset freezes and travel bans.

“These sanctions are hugely significant and show that there is no hiding place for cyber criminals like Dmitry Khoroshev, who wreak havoc across the globe. He was certain he could remain anonymous, but he was wrong,” NCA director General Graeme Biggar said in a statement, which also noted sanctions from the UK and Australia.