The United Kingdom and the United States jointly sanctioned seven individuals directly linked to cybercrime activity, including senior members allegedly part of the cybercrime gang Trickbot.
Trickbot was initially developed and operated by cybercriminals to steal financial data. Russia allowed cybercriminals such as Trickbot, to “freely commit malicious cyber activities against the U.S., the U.K. and allies and partners,” according to a Feb. 9 Department of Treasury news release
“The United States and the UK are leaders in the global fight against cybercrime and are committed to using all available tools to defend against cyber threats. Today, we jointly designated seven individuals who are part of the Russia-based cybercrime gang Trickbot,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
He said cybercriminals have a safe haven in Russia. Trickbot and other groups freely commit cyber crimes, according to a State Department release issued Feb. 9. They target critical infrastructure, including hospitals and medical facilities.
The Trickbot Trojan virus infected millions of computers worldwide, from business computers to personal computers, according to the Treasury release. It evolved into a highly modular malware suite that allows Trickbot to conduct illegal cyber activities.
“Cyber criminals, particularly those based in Russia, seek to attack critical infrastructure, target U.S. businesses and exploit the international financial system,” Treasury Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson said in the Treasury release.
U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said sanctioning these cyber criminals sends a clear signal to them and others involved that they will be held to account, according to a U.K. government release.
“These cynical cyber attacks cause real damage to people’s lives and livelihoods. We will always put our national security first by protecting the UK and our allies from serious organized crime – whatever its form and wherever it originates,” he said, according to the release.
