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The US government is offering up to $15 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest, conviction, or identification of leaders and participants in the LockBit ransomware attacks.

LockBit, active since 2019, was responsible for 23% of global ransomware attacks last year, showcasing its significant impact on global cybersecurity. This initiative, announced by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, aims to counter the threats posed by one of the most prolific ransomware syndicates. In his statement, Miller detailed the damage caused by LockBit since January 2020, including over 2,000 attacks worldwide and more than $144 million in ransom payments.

The announcement coincides with efforts by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and international law enforcement, including the FBI, to disrupt the LockBit group’s operations. NCA Director General Graeme Biggar highlighted the collaborative success in undermining LockBit’s activities, stating, “Through our close collaboration, we have hacked the hackers; taken control of their infrastructure, seized their source code, and obtained keys that will help victims decrypt their systems.”

US Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the joint U.S.-U.K. endeavor’s achievements in combating the LockBit threat. Garland said, “We are going a step further — we have also obtained keys from the seized LockBit infrastructure to help victims decrypt their captured systems and regain access to their data.” He assured that the dismantling of LockBit is part of a broader strategy against ransomware, indicating ongoing and future efforts to neutralize such cyber threats.