US Offers $10 Million Bounty for Info on Clop Ransomware Gang

The US government has announced a $10 million bounty for information that links the infamous Clop ransomware gang to any foreign government.

The bounty, part of the US State Department's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, is the latest attempt to safeguard American interests and protect the country's critical infrastructure from escalating digital threats.

The RFJ program, initially introduced to gather intelligence on terrorist activities targeting US interests, has evolved to address the growing concern of cybercrime.

Offering substantial rewards for information on cybercriminal activities, the program has focused on key threat actors, including the notorious Conti and REvil ransomware gangs and individual hackers such as Wazawaka, an affiliate of the LockBit ransomware gang.

This recent announcement comes shortly after an influx of high-profile cyberattacks attributed to the Clop ransomware gang. Known for exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer file transfer platform, the group has attacked companies worldwide, holding critical data hostage and demanding substantial ransoms.

In a new pressure tactic, the gang has started listing targeted companies on a dedicated leak website, threatening to expose sensitive data if a ransom isn't paid. Although the US government suspects the Clop gang is tied to a foreign government, the gang members have maintained a strict stance of monetary gain, disavowing political involvement.

They assert that any data stolen from government sources is promptly deleted. However, this claim cannot be independently verified, leading to speculation that stolen data could be misused or fall into the hands of foreign governments.

In a recent tweet, the official RFJ account wrote: "Do you have info linking CL0P Ransomware Gang or any other malicious cyber actors targeting U.S. critical infrastructure to a foreign government? Send us a tip. You could be eligible for a reward. #StopRansomware"

The State Department has set up a dedicated Tor SecureDrop server for anonymous submission of information. The public can use this secure platform to share crucial information about Clop or other threat actors posing a risk to US national security.

As the battle against digital crime escalates, the sizable US bounty signifies its resolve to defend American infrastructure, curb cybercriminal activities, and maintain the country's national security.