Skip to main content Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Tech Radar Pro TechRadar the business technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Expert Insights Website builders Web hosting Best web hosting Best office chairs Best website builder Best antivirus Expert Insights Recommended reading US government seizes $1 million from major Russian ransomware gang in a rare win for the good guys US government says BlackSuit and Royal ransomware gangs hit hundreds of major firms before shutdown Major crackdown freezes over $300 million in cryptocurrency stolen from scams Microsoft takes legal action against Lumma Stealer after 400,000 devices infected Top ransomware group BlackSuit has dark web extortion sites seized and shut down Ransomware gang attacking NAS devices taken down in major police operation FBI, Secret Service operation takes down AVCheck site used to test malware Millions of dollars in cryptocurrency has been confiscated as the DoJ cracks down on an infamous ransomware operator Ellen Jennings-Trace 18 August 2025 Over $2.8 million seized from alleged Zeppelin owner When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency has been seized by the DoJ The wallet belongs to a suspected ransomware operator The ransomware, Zeppelin, is functionally extinct The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced a cryptocurrency wallet containing over $2.8 million has been seized following charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering brought against the wallet's owner. Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko is thought to have headed up the now defunct Zeppelin ransomware operation, which collapsed in 2022, to ‘ target and attack a wide range of individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide, including in the United States,’ the statement confirmed. Zeppelin was a ransomware-as-a-service tool which uses phishing as a point of contact, using double extortion methods to steal and encrypt data to then sell (or threaten to sell) on the dark web. You may like US government seizes $1 million from major Russian ransomware gang in a rare win for the good guys US government says BlackSuit and Royal ransomware gangs hit hundreds of major firms before shutdown Major crackdown freezes over $300 million in cryptocurrency stolen from scams Luxury assets Alongside the cryptocurrency, the DoJ also seized $70,000 in cash as well as a luxury vehicle, assets which are alleged to be involved in ransomware activity - mostly having been used to launder proceeds gained through ransom payments. ‘Those assets were laundered in various ways, including by using the cryptocurrency mixing service ChipMixer, which was taken down in a coordinated international operation in 2023. Antropenko also laundered cryptocurrency by exchanging cryptocurrency for cash and depositing the cash in structured cash deposits.’ Zeppelin has been used to victimize organisations in manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and finance industries - particularly those that rely on sensitive data. The RaaS was introduced in 2019, and tactics evolved over the next few years, with actors using the tool to distribute malware. However, after sloppy updated versions were released in 2021, the tool became significantly less prominent. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. By 2022, the service was essentially abandoned. Security researchers Unit221b developed a decryptor key after the tool was used to attack nonprofits, homeless shelters, and charity organisations. You might also like Take a look at our picks for the best firewall software around Check out our choice for best endpoint protection software to keep you safe US government wants to ban Chinese technology in submarine cables Ellen Jennings-Trace Staff Writer Ellen has been writing for almost four years, with a focus on post-COVID policy whilst studying for BA Politics and International Relations at the University of Cardiff, followed by an MA in Political Communication. Before joining TechRadar Pro as a Junior Writer, she worked for Future Publishing’s MVC content team, working with merchants and retailers to upload content. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. US government seizes $1 million from major Russian ransomware gang in a rare win for the good guys US government says BlackSuit and Royal ransomware gangs hit hundreds of major firms before shutdown Major crackdown freezes over $300 million in cryptocurrency stolen from scams Microsoft takes legal action against Lumma Stealer after 400,000 devices infected Top ransomware group BlackSuit has dark web extortion sites seized and shut down Ransomware gang attacking NAS devices taken down in major police operation Latest in Security Are they brave or stupid? Malware targeting Russian crypto hackers found Hackers breach HR firm Workday - is it the latest Salesforce CRM attack victim? 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