Russian Ermakov was sanctioned by three Western countries due to a cyberattack
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Following Australia, the USA and Great Britain introduced sanctions against the Russian Alexander Ermakov for his alleged role in a cyber attack that caused the personal data of about 9 million 700 thousand Australians to be leaked.
According to the Australian authorities, the investigation indicated Ermakov’s possible involvement in the hacking of the database of the medical insurance company Medibank in 2022.
Announcing the measures taken against the Russian, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Australia, Claire O’Neill, called the hacking of Medibank the most destructive cyberattack in the history of Australia, reports the Russian service of the BBC. Australian special services claim that Ermakov is a member of the Russian hacker group REvil, which has been associated with cyberattacks in Europe, the United States and Great Britain.
In a statement released later on Tuesday by the US Treasury Department, it is said that the US and Great Britain are imposing sanctions against Ermakov because of the risk he poses. The measures introduced by Washington provide for the freezing of the Russian’s assets and the prohibition of American citizens from doing business with him.
“Russian cybercriminals continue devastating ransomware attacks against the United States and allied countries, targeting businesses, including critical infrastructure,” said Brian Nelson, the deputy director of the US Department of Financial Intelligence and Counterterrorism.
In his statement, Nelson also noted that this is the first such coordinated action by Washington, London and Australians, which demonstrates a common determination to bring the guilty to justice.
According to the US Treasury, Alexander Ermakov is 33 years old and currently lives in Moscow. The suspect used the online aliases blade_runner, GustaveDore and JimJones.
Australian sanctions include a travel ban and severe financial restrictions. Anyone found guilty of providing any assets to Ermakov faces up to 10 years in prison.
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