US indicts 3 Iranian nationals for multiple cyberattacks - FBI
Three Iranian nationals are being charged for playing a part in multiple cyberattacks, according to the FBI.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 22:47FBI van in Texas (photo credit: REUTERS)
The FBI announced the indictment of three Iranian nationals for their part in multiple cyberattacks on hundreds of companies, organizations and institutions.
The three Iranian nationals that are being charged are Mansour Ahmadi, Ahmad Khatibi Aghda and Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari. They were among a group of cybercriminals that were attacking critical infrastructures and public services that many people rely on. They were also attempting to steal information for their own personal gain, according to the FBI.
Iranian cyber actors Mansour Ahmadi, Ahmad Khatibi Aghda, and Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari are #wanted by the #FBI. All three men have dark brown hair and brown eyes, and are all known to speak Farsi and reside in Iran. https://t.co/t0B1twJcNEpic.twitter.com/1mDftI8rkY
"They were looking to steal information, encrypt networks and sell private data, all in the hopes of persuading victims to pay sizeable ransoms," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. "In addition to targeting victims here in the US, the defendants also targeted companies and entities around the world, including in their own country of Iran, demonstrating that few targets were off-limits."
"They were looking to steal information, encrypt networks and sell private data, all in the hopes of persuading victims to pay sizeable ransoms,"
FBI Director Christopher Wray
#FBI Director Christopher Wray announces the indictments of three Iranian nationals for their roles in a multi-year scheme to compromise the networks of hundreds of companies, organizations, and institutions. https://t.co/StZLyop7sqpic.twitter.com/1PB1C3p2SQ
The FBI has been focusing on getting rid of these types of threats for some time now. A joint cybersecurity advisory was issued by the FBI, law enforcement and intelligence partners both in the United States and in foreign countries.
The example given by the FBI was Boston Children's Hospital in the summer of 2021 which the cybercriminals had their eyes on. Fortunately, they weren't able to launch their attacks. The FBI got a tip from a partner at the hospital. The FBI then worked closely with the Children's Hospital and they were able to identify and defeat the threat.
The indictment and cybersecurity advisory were released to show what is possible when federal and international partners work together.
