Recently-disrupted LockBit ransomware group, in what appears to be a desperate attempt to make a comeback, claimed this week that it had hit US Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States.
The tall claim was followed up with LockBit stating it had stolen 33 terabytes of sensitive banking information belonging to Americans and that negotiations were ongoing.
Turns out, the threat actor hit an individual bank, and not the Fed.
On Sunday, June 23rd, the LockBit ransomware gang announced that it had breached the US Federal Reserve, the most powerful economic institution in the United States.
Eventually, the group began publishing the stolen data on its site.
Some media outlets reported on the allegation without obtaining a statement from the Federal Reserve or verifying if the organization was even attacked as LockBit claims.
It turns out that it's not the Fed but an individual US financial institution that the threat actors have targeted in this attack.
We asked Evolve if it knew exactly when the threat actors had stolen this data, and how the bank's systems were breached.
We also attempted to reach out to LockBitSup, the manager of the ransomware operation, but it appears we have been blocked by him.
As a result, the Fed demanded that Evolve halt some of its activities until the bank improves its risk management policies and complies with AML laws and regulations.
Previously notorious for executing ransomware attacks on high-profile targets like Boeing, the Continental automotive giant, the Italian Internal Revenue Service, Bank of America, the UK Royal Mail, and most recently London Drugs, the cybercrime group found itself in hot waters this year.
In February, law enforcement took down LockBit's infrastructure in an action known as Operation Cronos and seized 34 servers containing over 2,500 decryption keys that helped create a free LockBit 3.0 Black Ransomware decryptor.
Having thrived through its peak, LockBit seems to have entered tough times compelling it to resort to making misleading claims to stay relevant.
French hospital CHC-SV refuses to pay LockBit extortion demand.
Police arrest Conti and LockBit ransomware crypter specialist.
FBI recovers 7,000 LockBit keys, urges ransomware victims to reach out.
LockBit says they stole data in London Drugs ransomware attack.
This Cyber News was published on www.bleepingcomputer.com. Publication date: Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:10:19 +0000