Russian authorities have arrested the infamous hacker Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev, widely known by his alias, Wazawaka. His involvement allegedly helped three ransomware gangs extort over $200 million in ransom payments. The U.S. State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Wazawaka a.k.a Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev Arrested in Russia
At just 32 years old, Matveev faces trial in Kaliningrad, Russia. According to local reports, he is accused of creating sophisticated malicious software designed to encrypt sensitive data and files, allegedly to target organizations and demand ransom payments in exchange for decryption keys.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that investigators have gathered enough evidence, and the case, accompanied by a prosecutor-approved indictment, has been submitted to the Central District Court of Kaliningrad. This information was confirmed by RIA Novosti, Russian state-sponsored media, and several other social media sources.
Certain channels claim Wazawaka is currently out on bail after paying two fines and getting stripped of quite substantial part of his cryptocurrency savings. However, this statement does not have any solid evidence other than the words of the media on X/Twitter. Back in 2022, the U.S. government accused him of a selection of cyber-related crimes and put a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Matveev’s capture.
Mikhail Matveev faces charges in the United States for his alleged use of LockBit, Hive and Babuk ransomware to target thousands of victims both domestically and internationally. Since at least 2020, Matveev and his accomplices have reportedly attacked law enforcement agencies, hospitals, schools, government entities, and private organizations worldwide.
On May 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) linked three global ransomware campaigns to Matveev, estimating their demands at nearly $400 million, with victims paying up to $200 million in ransom.
“Matveev is charged with conspiring to transmit ransom demands, conspiring to damage protected computers, and intentionally damaging protected computers. If convicted, he faces over 20 years in prison”US DoJ claims on Wazawaka
Matveev reportedly attacked a New Jersey police department and other government structures while working as LockBit ransomware affiliate. Additionally, while affiliated to the Hive ransomware operation, he attacked a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization also in New Jersey.
Why so much fuss around a hacker?
Wazawaka is not just a hacker, he is one of the most notorious threat actors from Russia. Along with LockBitSupp and Maksim Yakubets, he has become renowned because of his mugshot published on the FBI wanted list. Matveev also became a star of one of the Brian Krebs’ investigations, where he was successfully doxxed.
This extensive media coverage is accompanied by the bold social media presence of the hacker himself. He has an X/Twitter account to highlight his daily activities and even successful hacks. The guy even started releasing his own merchandise at some point, yet its success is doubtful.
For another part of the cybersecurity community, Mikhail Matveev is remembered by being a particularly principleless hacker, as he attacked hospitals and schools with ransomware. Doing so has become against the “code” of hacking groups back in the days, but this code could not bother him less.
