The Justice Department has charged Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov on allegations of deploying LockBit ransomware on computer systems in the U.S., Asia, Europe and Africa.
From August 2020 to March 2023, Mr. Astamirov allegedly participated in a conspiracy with other members of the LockBit ransomware group to commit wire fraud and attack computers to make ransom demands, according to a June 15 press release from the Justice Department.
In total, Mr. Astamirov allegedly attacked five computer systems with ransomware in the U.S. and abroad.
Mr. Astamirov is charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to intentionally damage protected computers and to transmit ransom demands, according to the Justice Department.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the first charge and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the second charge.
LockBit is known for targeting the U.S. healthcare industry.