As part of the operation, authorities seized approximately $8.6 million in stolen cryptocurrency, which will be returned to the victims.
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray described the action as a successful neutralization of a widespread criminal supply chain. The FBI’s strategy involved tricking infected computers into uninstalling the malware and disconnecting from the botnet.
Qakbot, discovered in 2008, primarily targeted victims through spam emails containing malicious links or attachments. Over 700,000 victims, including 200,000 in the United States, have been identified so far.
The botnet facilitated the operations of well-known ransomware groups such as Conti and REvil, who targeted various organizations, including hospitals, schools, and local government institutions. These groups demanded ransom payments in exchange for releasing sensitive data. The total amount paid in ransoms between October 2021 and April 2023 is estimated to be around $58 million.
While the FBI did not disclose any arrests, investigations into the individuals behind the Qakbot network are ongoing. Officials refrained from commenting on the network’s country of origin.
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