Ethical Hacking News
German authorities have added Oleg Evgenievich Nefekov, the alleged founder and ringleader of Black Basta ransomware operation to the EU's most-wanted list as they seek information leading to his capture.
German authorities have added Oleg Evgenievich Nefekov, alleged mastermind behind Black Basta ransomware operation, to their most-wanted list.Nefekov's involvement with Black Basta dates back to 2022 and played a pivotal role in the group's success.The group is estimated to have generated over $100 million in extortion payments by the end of 2023.Nefekov managed to escape custody after being arrested in Armenia in 2024 with the help of the Russian state.German authorities are seeking information about Nefekov's whereabouts and online accounts to track him down.
German authorities have taken a significant step in their pursuit of Oleg Evgenievich Nefekov, the alleged mastermind behind the notorious Black Basta ransomware operation. The Russian national, believed to be 35 years old at present, has been added to the European Union's most-wanted list by German police, who are now desperately seeking information leading to his capture.
Nefekov's involvement with the Black Basta group dates back to its inception in 2022, a time when the ransomware landscape was still reeling from the downfall of LockBit. The latter had dominated the scene since 2019 but suddenly ceased operations after a major internal leak. Black Basta, on the other hand, filled the void left by LockBit's demise and quickly gained notoriety for its relentless attacks on organizations worldwide.
According to estimates by researchers at Trellix, Nefekov played a pivotal role in shaping Black Basta's success story. He served as the group's "founder and ringleader," responsible for deciding attack targets, recruiting employees, assigning tasks, participating in ransom negotiations, managing ransom payments, and ultimately distributing profits to group members.
Nefekov's impact on Black Basta was substantial, with estimates suggesting that the group generated more than $100 million in extortion payments by the end of 2023. His influence extended beyond the realm of attack planning; he also handled internal communications and seemed to be a key figure in keeping the group's operations running smoothly.
The arrest of Oleg Nefekov is believed to have occurred after he was arrested in Armenia in 2024. Despite this, sources close to the investigation claim that Nefekov managed to escape custody with the help of the Russian state.
German authorities are now keenly seeking information from individuals who can provide details about Nefekov's whereabouts, travel plans, and current online accounts and/or communication channels. They have assured all sources that their identities will be kept anonymous, emphasizing that they do not wish to receive any information related to the leaks of 2025 or 2022.
The police appeal comes as part of efforts to track down Nefekov and put an end to his alleged reign of terror via Black Basta. This is a serious development in the ongoing battle against ransomware, with German authorities now joining forces with their European counterparts to apprehend one of the most wanted individuals in the cybercrime world.
The story of Oleg Evgenievich Nefekov serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by sophisticated cyber threats like Black Basta. His rise to prominence highlights the devastating impact that skilled hackers can have on organizations worldwide and underscores the importance of continued vigilance from cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Black-Basta-Ransomware-Kingpin-A-Look-into-Oleg-Evgenievich-Nefekovs-Rise-to-Infamy-ehn.shtml
Published: Fri Jan 16 09:26:43 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
