LockBit Founder Wanted Worldwide

Published 11 May 2024 at 14.01

Domestic. Now the police in several western countries, including Sweden, are starting phase two of “operation Cronos” where the developer of the LockBit ransomware, Dmitrij Khorosyev, is wanted internationally and subject to a series of financial sanctions.

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The first phase of Operation Cronos concluded in February 2024 where an internationally coordinated police operation led to the takeover of Lockbit's primary platform and critical infrastructure.

The US has now announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Khorosyev's arrest or conviction.

In the operation conducted in February of this year, thousands of decryption keys were secured to organizations that fell victim to LockBit worldwide. Swedish police have thereby received decryption keys for a third of all known LockBit attacks that have hit Swedish businesses.

In a couple of cases the keys have been able to be used to create decryption programs, but in many cases Swedish organizations have had good protection through good and functioning backup solutions, according to the police.

The police are now urging victims to contact the authority so that the police can investigate ransomware attacks.

“Operation Cronos is a clear example of what can is achieved in terms of police and prosecution thanks to victims sharing information and reporting to the police,” the police write in a press release.