Lockbit Affiliate Gets Four Years in Jail – Justice Served

TLDR:

• Mikhail Vasiliev, a dual Russian-Canadian national, sentenced to nearly four years in prison for cyber extortion, mischief, and weapons offenses.
• Vasiliev, a ransomware hacker affiliated with the LockBit group, demanded ransoms from businesses in Canada, causing significant disruptions.

Mikhail Vasiliev, a dual Russian-Canadian national, has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison after pleading guilty to cyber extortion, mischief, and weapons offenses. He was labeled a “cyber-terrorist” by Justice Michelle Fuerst for his deliberate and calculated actions. Vasiliev, affiliated with the LockBit ransomware group, engaged in cyber extortion by demanding ransoms from businesses across Canada, leading to disruptions and financial losses.

The LockBit group, with which Vasiliev was associated, has extorted tens of millions of dollars through over 1,000 cyber attacks, demanding at least $100 million in ransoms. Vasiliev’s actions had severe consequences on Canadian companies, disrupting their operations and financial stability. In addition to his prison sentence, Justice Fuerst ordered Vasiliev to pay over $860,000 in restitution to his victims.

As Vasiliev awaits extradition to face additional cybercrime charges, his family plans to return to Russia. His sentencing marks a critical moment in the fight against cybercriminals and highlights the international reach and devastating impact of ransomware attacks.