The US government is offering $ 10 million for any information that could lead to the identification or arrest of members of the Darkside ransomware team.
The State Department said the announcement applies to any information about Darkside team members who are business leaders.
Tips leading to the arrest of Darkside ransomware associates, who may be helping the group carry out an attack at intervals, can also yield up to $5 million, the State Department said in a press release released today.
The U.S. government says it is offering large sums of money because of the group's attack on Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipeline companies in North America.
The attack took place in May 2021, and had a huge impact on the US economy, cutting off 45% of the US East Coast fuel supply, upsetting many businesses and regular consumers.
After numerous threats from the White House in the aftermath of the attack, the Darkside ransomware gang ceased operations a week later, citing a mysterious cyber-attack in which they said they had lost control of their servers and some of their money.
The group attempted to return in the summer, was renamed BlackMatter and re-released in July, but earlier this week said it was stopping for a second time, citing pressure from local authorities and the disappearance of some members.
Security investigators have been tracking the team since the early 2010s, which carried out POS attacks.
Some of the first members of the group were arrested in 2018.
The amounts announced by the US government today as a call for information about hackers are not the first:
In July 2021 They offered $ 10 million for any information to help authorities track down hackers "acting under the direction or control of a foreign government" and carrying out malicious cyber-activities against critical US infrastructure.
In August 2020 offered $ 10 million for information about anyone working with or for a foreign government to interfere in U.S. elections through "illegal cyber activities."
In April 2020 offered $ 5 million for information about North Korean hackers and their ongoing operations.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
