Yevgeniy Bezrukov, a 47-year-old Belarusian national, was convicted of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and unauthorized access to computers. The Ransom Cartel operation, which began in 2015, targeted numerous organizations worldwide, extorting millions of dollars in ransom payments. Bezrukov's involvement in the NotPetya outbreak in 2017 further cemented his reputation as a major player in the cybercriminal underworld.
The indictment alleged that Bezrukov, in collaboration with other defendants, used various malware tools to compromise and extort organizations. He also orchestrated the distribution of the NotPetya malware, which caused widespread destruction and disruption in Ukraine in 2017. The malware was later linked to the Russian military.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Bezrukov would serve 16 years in federal prison, with the possibility of supervised release after serving four years. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in the District of Columbia. Bezrukov's lawyers had requested a sentence of no more than 10 years, citing his cooperation with law enforcement and his relative lack of prior convictions.
Bezrukov's sentencing marks the culmination of a long-running investigation into his activities, which spanned multiple years and involved numerous law enforcement agencies around the world. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of international law enforcement to combat cybercrime and bring perpetrators to justice.