An alleged representative of cyber gang «LockBit» reportedly said that payment from Chinese state-owned ICBC following a recent ransomware attack has been confirmed.
Last week, cyber gang «LockBit» reportedly hit ICBC’s US unit with a ransomware attack – malicious software that encrypts victims’ computer files and demands payments to unlock them. And according to the «Reuters» report, the ransom has been successfully obtained.
«They paid a ransom, deal closed,» the report said, citing communication with a Lockbit representative via online messaging app Tox.
Trading Blackout
The ICBC attack caused a brokerage blackout that led to trades being rerouted and the world’s largest lender temporarily owing BNY Mellon $9 billion, media reports said.
According to US officials, LockBit has become the world’s top ransomware threat with more than 1,700 American organizations attacked by the cyber gang since 2020. It is also active outside of the US, with previous attacks on the UK’s Royal Mail and a Canadian children’s hospital.
