Ethical Hacking News
US government seizes $1 million in cryptocurrency from notorious BlackSuit ransomware gang as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt cybercrime operations and protect vulnerable targets.
The U.S. Department of Justice seized $1,091,453 worth of cryptocurrency and digital assets from the BlackSuit ransomware gang. The seizure is believed to be part of an international effort called 'Operation Checkmate' aimed at disrupting cybercrime groups. The BlackSuit gangs have been responsible for 450 successful attacks in the United States, with organizations in various sectors falling prey to their extortion tactics. Cybercrime groups like BlackSuit have collectively received over $370 million in ransom payments. A separate operation resulted in the seizure of 20 Bitcoins valued at approximately $2.4 million from a cryptocurrency address linked to a Chaos ransomware group member.
The recent seizure of $1,091,453 worth of cryptocurrency and digital assets from the notorious BlackSuit ransomware gang is a significant development in the ongoing fight against cybercrime. According to reports, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) took swift action on January 9, 2024, freezing the crypto assets as part of a larger operation aimed at disrupting the BlackSuit's extortion portals on the dark web.
The authorities tracked the cryptocurrency movement across virtual currency exchange accounts, carefully following the gang's attempts to obscure their digital trail. It was not until the amount reached a cooperating exchange that the confiscation became possible. The seizure is believed to be part of an international effort codenamed 'Operation Checkmate,' which has already disrupted the operations of the BlackSuit and its affiliated ransomware groups, including Royal, Quantum, and Chaos.
The scope of the cybercrime group's activities cannot be overstated. As revealed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Royal and BlackSuit gangs have been responsible for 450 successful attacks in the United States alone, with organizations in various sectors such as healthcare, education, government, energy, and public safety falling prey to their extortion tactics.
Furthermore, HSI reported that these groups had collectively received over $370 million in ransom payments, based on present-day valuations of cryptocurrency. The sheer scale of this financial damage underscores the significant threat posed by sophisticated cybercrime organizations like BlackSuit.
In a related development, the FBI Dallas announced the seizure of 20 Bitcoins, valued at approximately $2.4 million, from a cryptocurrency address linked to a prominent member of the Chaos ransomware group on July 28, 2025. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil complaint seeking the forfeiture of this seized amount from the FBI.
The confiscation of these digital assets serves as a crucial component in the ongoing fight against ransomware and cybercrime. By targeting the financial flow that sustains such organizations, law enforcement can severely disrupt their operations and limit their ability to exploit vulnerable targets. In many cases, operators and affiliates remain at large following law enforcement crackdowns, only to utilize the seized funds to rebuild infrastructure and recruit new associates.
The recent actions by U.S. authorities demonstrate a continued commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting citizens from these types of threats. As the landscape of digital threats continues to evolve, it is essential for organizations and individuals alike to remain vigilant in safeguarding their digital assets and information.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-BlackSuit-Ransomware-Gangs-Digital-Assets-Seized-by-US-Government-A-Major-Blow-to-Cybercrime-Operations-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-govt-seizes-1-million-in-crypto-from-blacksuit-ransomware-gang/
Published: Tue Aug 12 12:08:13 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
