The Ransomware ‘Locksmith’: Russian Access Broker Aleksei Volkov Sentenced to 7 Years for $9M Cyber Heist

Aleksei Volkov, a 26-year-old Russian national who acted as an initial access broker selling unauthorized access to corporate networks, was extradited to the U.S., pleaded guilty to multiple charges, and was sentenced to 81 months in prison; his activity facilitated dozens of ransomware attacks (including links to Yanluowang) that caused over $9 million in actual losses and over $24 million in intended losses, and he agreed to pay restitution and forfeit equipment.