The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against Rustam Rafailevich Gallyamov, a Russian national accused of developing the Qakbot malware. The DOJ seeks to seize over $24 million in cryptocurrency linked to Gallyamov, who allegedly operated the Qakbot botnet since 2008. The malware was used to infect thousands of computers, with access sold to various ransomware groups including Prolock and REvil. Despite Gallyamov's activities being disrupted in 2023, he reportedly continued to find new methods to distribute malware, including deploying Black Basta and Cactus ransomware. The forfeiture actions are part of a broader effort by the DOJ to combat cybercrime and ensure that victims are compensated for their losses. Matthew Galeotti of the DOJ stated their commitment to holding cybercriminals accountable and using every legal tool to disrupt their activities.

Source 🔗