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Cops in Germany Claim They've ID'd the Mysterious Trickbot Ransomware Kingpin
- Germany's federal police agency, the BKA, claims to have identified the mysterious Trickbot ransomware kingpin as Vitaly Nikolaevich Kovalev, a 36-year-old Russian man known online as 'Stern.'
- Kovalev is wanted by Germany for allegedly being the 'ringleader' of a criminal organization, with the Interpol issuing a red notice for him.
- The identification of 'Stern' as Kovalev is a significant development in understanding Trickbot, one of the notorious cybercriminal groups.
- Global law enforcement may have strategically withheld Stern's identity as part of ongoing investigations, with information obtained through various investigations aiding in his attribution.
- The German announcement marks the first public allegation of an identity for the suspect behind the moniker 'Stern.'
- Kovalev, previously sanctioned by the US and UK for his involvement in Trickbot, was linked to online handles 'ben' and 'Bentley.'
- Trickbot, a prominent ransomware group, overlapping with Conti gang, has been linked to cybercrimes orchestrated by 'Stern' acted like a CEO running operations like a legitimate company.
- Stern's eminence in Russian cybercrime is notable, with reports indicating connections to Russia's intelligence apparatus, indicating professionalism and strong operational security.
- The effectiveness of Trickbot and Conti was attributed to Stern's leadership and ability to maintain operational security, as indicated by cybersecurity experts.
- The identification of Kovalev as 'Stern' by the BKA in a multinational law enforcement context marks a significant milestone in the understanding of Trickbot's organization and leadership.
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