Evgenii Ptitsyn, a 43-year-old Russian national, has pleaded guilty in the United States to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in the Phobos ransomware operation. He was arrested in South Korea in June 2024, extradited to the U.S. in November, faces up to 20 years in prison with sentencing set for July 15, and Phobos is accused of targeting over 1,000 organizations and collecting more than $16 million. #Phobos #EvgeniiPtitsyn
Keypoints
- Evgenii Ptitsyn pleaded guilty in the U.S. to charges related to the Phobos ransomware operation.
- Ptitsyn was arrested in South Korea in June 2024 and extradited to the United States in November 2024.
- He pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison; sentencing is scheduled for July 15.
- Authorities say he worked in Phobos’s administration, selling and operating ransomware and infrastructure for affiliates since at least November 2020.
- Phobos emerged in 2019, targeted over 1,000 organizations worldwide, and is alleged to have obtained more than $16 million, prompting international takedowns and arrests.
Read More: https://www.securityweek.com/russian-ransomware-operator-pleads-guilty-in-us/