455/67 Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Rostislav Panev, a 51-year-old man holding both Russian and Israeli citizenships, has been charged as a programmer for the LockBit ransomware group following his arrest in Israel in August 2024. Panev is accused of developing the LockBit ransomware from 2019 until February 2024. The group targeted over 2,500 victims worldwide, including 1,800 in the United States, causing billions of dollars in damages and demanding over $500 million in ransom. LockBit’s targets ranged from hospitals, schools, and non-profit organizations to critical infrastructure and government agencies.
Panev played a key role in developing the software and infrastructure for LockBit, including writing code to disable antivirus software, deploying malware, and printing ransom notes to victims’ network printers. Upon his arrest, authorities discovered access credentials for LockBit’s control dashboard and multiple versions of the ransomware’s source code on his computer. Panev is also accused of maintaining contact with LockBit leader Dmitry Khoroshev and receiving over $230,000 in laundered cryptocurrency from him.
Prosecutor Philip R. Sellinger stated that this operation marks another significant step in international cooperation between the United States and its allies to combat the LockBit group. Panev is one of seven LockBit members charged to date, with some having pleaded guilty and awaiting sentencing, while others remain fugitives. The United States has also offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Khoroshev and another fugitive, Matveev, as part of ongoing efforts to permanently dismantle the ransomware group.
