American sanctions against Trickbot and Conti in fighting cybercrime

US Treasury Department officials have adopted new sanctions against cybercrime syndicate groups Trickbot and Conti, saying it is part of their commitment to countering Russian state-sponsored cybercrime. This move comes at a time when pressure on Russian groups will continue to increase, as the US and UK have denounced several prominent gang members and issued new sanctions against them.

11 people involved in Trickbot hit by sanctions

The new sanctions specifically target 11 people allegedly involved in Trickbot, a modular early-access Trojan that often foreshadows ransomware attacks. These people, including administrators, managers, developers and programmers, have been identified as an integral part of the activities of the Trickbot group. They also include some of the people involved in the Conti ransomware group, which disbanded last year. New sanctions issued by the US Treasury Department prohibit these individuals from having financial dealings with US or UK entities.

Fighting Russian cybercrime

US officials have acknowledged that Trickbot has ties to Russian intelligence services and that Russia has long been considered a haven for cybercrime. These sanctions are part of a broader effort to counter Russian state-sponsored cybercriminal activities.

Efforts to neutralize Trickbot were unsuccessful

Despite numerous attempts to neutralize Trickbot throughout 2021, the group continues to be active in the cybercrime landscape. Authorities are working tirelessly to counter this threat to the integrity and security of computer networks, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Trickbot perpetrated a series of ransomware attacks against hospitals and healthcare centers. With the new sanctions and a joint commitment between the United States and the United Kingdom to combat the activities of the Trickbot and Conti groups, a step forward has been made in the fight against cybercrime. These actions demonstrate authorities' determination to address online threats and protect critical infrastructure from ransomware attacks and other forms of cybercrime. It is important to continue to monitor and counter these criminal organizations, adopting adequate cybersecurity measures and promoting international cooperation to address this global challenge.