Russian couple on trial for large-scale ransomware attacks

Two Russians are on trial in Brussels for infecting tens of thousands of computers with ransomware and raking in more than 3 million euros. The trial was initiated on Friday and will be heard at the Brussels criminal court on 9 May.

The couple allegedly used the highly malicious Crylock ransomware to remotely lock computer files and hold some 400,000 victims for ransom. Crylock first appeared in Belgium in the spring of 2014, and the Federal public prosecutor's office opened an investigation in 2016. 

V.S., a 40-year-old Russian man, and E.T., a 44-year-old Russian woman, were identified as the main suspects after years of detective work. The couple were arrested in Spain in June 2023 and extradited to Belgium. Police searched their Spanish home and seized 16 servers. 

Victim turned perpetrator

V.S. allegedly developed Crylock himself. Using various pseudonyms, he is said to have infected thousands of computers worldwide with this ransomware. The victims were mostly companies, but also individuals, including minors. 

E.T., also known as Olga, allegedly advertised the ransomware to potential buyers and negotiated ransom payments with victims. She is said to have been the victim of a cyber attack herself in 2015, after which she contacted V.S. and began working with him.

^{© PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER / AFP}