The notorious cyber crime gang Evil Corp, led by Maksim Yakubets, has been hit with sanctions by the UK, US, and Australia for their alleged involvement in stealing around $300 million through hacking over nearly a decade. The gang, known for their destructive cyber-attacks worldwide, has been a top target for law enforcement agencies.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed that Maksim Yakubets was supported by his father Viktor Yakubets, despite previous denials. The family members, including Maksim’s brother Artem, have been named in the sanctions, along with other individuals linked to Evil Corp.
In a coordinated effort to disrupt Evil Corp and another hacking group called LockBit, authorities have made arrests and identified key players in the criminal organizations. The NCA has linked Eduard Benderskiy, a former high-ranking FSB official, to Evil Corp, shedding light on the group’s connections to Russian security services.
The sanctions also target Aleksandr Ryzhenkov, described as Maksim Yakubets’ right-hand man and an affiliate of LockBit, marking the first time a member of Evil Corp has been linked to another major cyber crime gang. This indicates a trend of hackers collaborating across groups to carry out attacks.
The NCA’s actions have led to arrests in the UK, including individuals suspected of being linked to LockBit. The agency’s Director General for Threats, James Babbage, emphasized the extensive investigations into these harmful cyber crime groups and their links to the Russian state.
Foreign secretary David Lammy highlighted the message sent to the Kremlin with these sanctions, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards Russian cyber-attacks. The crackdown on Evil Corp and its affiliates marks a significant step in the fight against cyber crime on a global scale.
