Latvian Woman Accused of Role in Transnational Ransomware Program Targeting 11 Countries | Washington Examiner

A A Latvian national faces federal charges for allegedly participating in a transnational conspiracy using ransomware to steal money and other confidential information from victims, including Americans.

Alla Witte, 55, was arraigned in North Ohio District Court on Friday on 19 counts in a 47-count indictment against the ” Trickbot Group, “named after the Trickbot malware used in the conspiracy, according to the Department of Justice.

As part of their cybercriminality Witte and other conspirators, who operated in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Suriname, reportedly began using the malware in November 2015 to rob individuals, hospitals, schools, utilities, banks, and businesses. governments in the United States, United States United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Russia.

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Witte, who was residing in Suriname when the cybercrimes occurred, was a developer for the group and oversaw the creation of the computer code used to control the ransomware, obtain payment from victims and store stolen information, according to court documents.

The group has infected millions of computers around the world, including those owned by individuals and businesses in the Northern Ohio District, to collect credit card information, passwords, phone numbers. social security and addresses and to steal funds from victims’ bank accounts, the charge mentionned.

“The Trickbot malware was designed to steal the personal and financial information of millions of people around the world, causing significant financial damage and significant damage to critical infrastructure in the United States and abroad,” said Bridget Brennan , acting prosecutor for the northern district. from Ohio mentionned in one Department of Justice Press release.

A warrant was issued against Witte on August 13, 2020 and she was arrested on February 6 in Miami.

Witte faces one count of Conspiracy to Commit Computer Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Electronic and Bank Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, as well as eight counts of bank fraud and eight counts of aggravated identity theft.

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Witte could serve a maximum prison sentence of 30 years for conspiring to commit electronic and bank fraud and 30 years for each bank fraud. She also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering, five years for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, as well as a mandatory sentence. two years for each aggravated count of identity theft.

Original location: Latvian woman accused of playing role in transnational ransomware program targeting 11 countries