Authorities in the United States have charged two Russian nationals with carrying out widespread cyberattacks using Phobos ransomware. The suspects, Roman Berezhnoy (33) and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov (39), were arrested in Thailand for allegedly orchestrating more than a thousand attacks worldwide.
Cybercriminals Behind the Phobos Ransomware Attacks
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), both men were actively involved in cybercrime from 2019 to 2024. They were linked to two hacking groups known as “8Base” and “Affiliate 2803,” which were responsible for spreading Phobos ransomware.
Their method of attack involved infiltrating computer networks, stealing important files, and encrypting them using ransomware. Victims were then left with no access to their own data unless they paid a ransom. If payments were not made, the attackers allegedly threatened to leak sensitive information to the public or to the organizations’ clients and partners.
Legal Charges and Possible Consequences
The two men now face multiple serious charges, including:
- Fraud involving online transactions
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Hacking into protected systems
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Intentional damage to computer networks
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Extortion through cyber threats
If found guilty, the penalties could be severe. Wire fraud charges alone could lead to a 20-year prison sentence, while hacking-related crimes carry additional penalties of up to 10 years.
International Crackdown on Ransomware Operations
In a coordinated effort, Europol and other in
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