The hacking group Lockbit has released data allegedly tied to the Federal Reserve after their ransom demands went unmet. Zscaler ThreatLabz reported the leak involves information from a bank recently penalized by the Federal Reserve for deficiencies in compliance programs.
Lockbit had threatened to release 33 terabytes of data if their demands were not satisfied by 4:27 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The group claimed on the deep web they were in talks with banks to secure a ransom for keeping the information private.
The Federal Reserve, established in 1913, is the central bank of the United States. It plays a crucial role in the country’s economy by managing inflation, supervising banks, providing financial services, and ensuring the stability of the financial system. The Fed’s decisions on interest rates and other monetary policies significantly impact the economy.
Lockbit boasted about having “33 terabytes of juicy banking information containing Americans’ banking secrets” and criticized the negotiator, demanding a new one within 48 hours. They threatened to release all the data if their demands were not met, which could compromise sensitive banking details and cause widespread financial chaos.
The leader of Lockbit, Russian national Dmitry Khoroshev, was identified by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. The U.S. government is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to Khoroshev’s capture and conviction. This substantial reward highlights the high stakes involved in combating cybercrime and protecting national financial security.
