Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev

WANTED: MIKHAIL PAVLOVICH MATVEEV 
REWARD OF UP TO $10,000,000

NAME: Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev
ALIASES: Mikhail Pavlovich Matveyev
NICKNAMES: “Wazawaka,” “m1x,” “Boriscelcin,” “Uhodiransomwar”
DOB: August 17, 1992
POB: Russia
NATIONALITY: Russia
CITIZENSHIP: Russia
HEIGHT: Unknown
WEIGHT: Unknown
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Unknown

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents a user from accessing computer files, systems, or networks until a ransom is paid for their return. Ransomware incidents can cause costly disruptions to operations and the loss of critical information and data. Over the past several years, several notable ransomware variants have emerged, each with its own use of malware to allow access to victim computer networks, as well as affiliates who introduce the malware and coordinate the ransom demands to unlock the victims’ network computer files.

In 2020 and 2021, the FBI field office in Newark, New Jersey, began investigations into the LockBit and Babuk ransomware variants, respectively. According to the FBI, both variants have been responsible for millions of dollars in losses to victims around the world, and the FBI assesses that Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev is responsible for a number of those ransomware deployments. Matveev is also linked to the deployment of the Hive ransomware variant. Matveev’s victims include hospitals, private-sector companies, schools, and government agencies. The FBI investigation specifically connected Matveev to the Babuk ransomware incident against the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department on April 26, 2021.

On December 6, 2022, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Matveev charging him with two substantive violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act related to the 2021 Babuk attack on the Metropolitan Police Department. On December 8, 2022, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey returned an indictment against Matveev, charging him with six counts related to the deployment of the LockBit, Babuk, and Hive ransomware variants.

The U.S. Department of State is offering a REWARD OF UP TO $10,000,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev.

If you have information, please visit the FBI tip website . If you are located outside of the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If in the United States, you can also contact the local U.S. Secret Service office in your city.

ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.