{"id":273158,"date":"2020-09-08T13:29:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T17:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insidebitcoins.com\/?p=273158"},"modified":"2021-09-03T05:31:19","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T09:31:19","slug":"cybercriminals-attack-argentinian-agency-demand-4-million-in-btc-ransom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insidebitcoins.com\/news\/cybercriminals-attack-argentinian-agency-demand-4-million-in-btc-ransom","title":{"rendered":"Cybercriminals Attack Argentinian Agency, Demand $4 Million in BTC Ransom\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ransomware attacks have become quite prominent in the past few months, with criminals deploying malware at an alarming rate.\u00a0<\/span>However, while individuals and businesses are usually the top targets, a ransomware operation recently infected Argentina\u2019s border control agency too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImmigration is Down\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Over the weekend, Bleeping Computer <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that a group of ransomware attackers breached Direcci\u00f3n Nacional de Migraciones, Argentina\u2019s immigration agency, on August 27. The report explained that the group had used the NetWalker ransomware, and they initially asked the immigration agency to pay $2 million to get their files back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>ransom note<\/span> that the hackers sent to the Tor payment page read, \u201cYour files are encrypted. Only way to decrypt your files is [sic] buy the decrypter program.\u201d The group also posted a patch of sensitive information online to prove that they weren\u2019t bluffing and were indeed in control of the agency\u2019s files.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In a Tor payment page seen by BleepingComputer, Netwalker originally demanded $2 million for a decryptor the and deletion of stolen files. After seven days, this amount increased to $4 million. pic.twitter.com\/CTmjPHshVv<\/a><\/p>\n

— BleepingComputer (@BleepinComputer) September 6, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n