Ryuk Ransomware Operator Sentenced for Deploying Malware and Extorting Victim Networks
Brief
An Armenian national extradited from Ukraine to the United States has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in Ryuk ransomware attacks that targeted organizations worldwide, including a company in Oregon.
Karen Vardanyan, 35, received a 24-month federal prison sentence followed by 3 years of supervised release, according to the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. The court also ordered him to pay $1,219,106 in restitution to victims affected by the ransomware extortion scheme.
Vardanyan was linked to a conspiracy that deployed Ryuk ransomware on victim networks between March 2019 and about June 2020. He allegedly used the online monikers “Maneeken” and “Karl Lagerfeld” while participating in the operation.
Ryuk ransomware encrypted files and disrupted access to computers and servers operated by targeted organizations.