NSDC: ransomware attackers targeted large Ukrainian businesses at least six times in three months

Over the past three months, Ukraine has recorded at least six ransomware attacks on large businesses. None of the victims reported to the police. This was told to ForkLog by representatives of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC).

So far, statistics on the amount of funds Ukrainians paid to the extortionists are unavailable. The agency attributes this to a low level of trust in law enforcement.

“At the same time, according to available data, the criminal proceeds for certain criminal groups that distribute ransomware software may exceed 30 million hryvnias ($1.1 million) per year,” the NSDC added.

In 2020-2021, the Cyber Police and the Security Service of Ukraine conducted seven major international operations in cooperation with partners from South Korea, the United States and France. As a result, about 50 criminals were arrested and assets worth more than $5 million were seized.

“In most cases, when it comes to ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency is the main means of paying the ransom, although in Ukraine there were cases where criminals agreed to payment by ‘standard’ means of payment, which were arranged under false names,” the NSDC representatives said.

Statistical data on the amount laundered through cryptocurrencies in Ukraine is still being formed. However, over the past eighteen months, law enforcement authorities have carried out a number of successful operations in this segment.

“The State Financial Monitoring Service has compiled and forwarded to law enforcement 13 cases related to laundering funds obtained by criminal means. More than $6 million has been confiscated under court judgments,” the agency said.

The NSDC representatives stressed that they continually analyse the current legislation on countering cybercrime and, if necessary, prepare proposals to improve it.

In early October, unknown attackers hacked the website of the large Ukrainian discount-pharmacy chain ‘Low-Cost Pharmacy’ and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency. Company representatives said they reported the incident to cyberpolice.

Earlier, ForkLog reported that the NSDC announced readiness for international cooperation to combat cybercrime.

Follow ForkLog’s Bitcoin news on our Telegram — cryptocurrency news, rates and analysis.