Ransomware and money laundering criminals who entered Korea are repatriated to the U.S.

Two international criminals investigating in the U.S. entered the country, were caught, and returned to the U.S.

The Ministry of Justice said today (19th) that it has delivered Russian A, the head of a ransomware-based criminal organization, and Vietnamese B, the key manager of a money laundering organization, to the United States.

The Ministry of Justice explained that they were arrested at Incheon International Airport in May and June, respectively, while tracking the whereabouts of A and B with an emergency extradition warrant.

It has since communicated with the U.S. Department of Justice to review the U.S. side's formal extradition claim, adding that the court's decision to grant extradition came in September.

Justice Department officials said they raided accomplices' residences in the country, quickly secured evidence such as mobile phones used in the crime, and cooperated with U.S. law enforcement authorities.

Mr. A is accused of breaking into several U.S. corporate networks since 2020, encrypting data with ransomware programs and stealing about $16 million in bitcoin.Mr.

and Mr. B is accused of hiding about $67 million in criminal proceeds, including unemployment benefits, which he fraudulently won in the United States during the same period.