A Ukrainian national has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud for his role in a series of international ransomware attacks.
According to court documents, Artem Aleksandrovych Stryzhak, 35, of Barcelona, Spain, conspired with others to deploy the Nefilim ransomware against computer networks in the United States and other countries. The attacks caused significant damage to victim systems by encrypting files and demanding payment in exchange for decryption keys. Each victim received a customized ransomware file and ransom note, with threats that stolen data would be publicly released if payment was not made.
Stryzhak gained access to the Nefilim ransomware platform in June 2021 in exchange for 20 percent of any ransom proceeds. Investigators say the group primarily targeted large companies in the United States, Canada, and Australia, often researching potential victims’ revenues and corporate details before launching attacks.
Stryzhak was arrested in Spain in June 2024 and extradited to the United States on April 30. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.