Ottawa man charged after two-year investigation into international ransomware attacks
An Ottawa man has been charged following a nearly two-year investigation into several ransomware attacks on targets in Canada and the U.S.
The cybercrime investigation started when the Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted Ontario Provincial Police in January 2020 about ransomware attacks based in Canada.
Police say they determined one person was responsible for numerous ransomware attacks affecting businesses, government agencies and private individuals throughout Canada as well as cyber-related offenses in the U.S.
Police said Tuesday that Matthew Philbert, 31, of Ottawa has been charged with fraud, unauthorized use of a computer, and possession of a device to obtain unauthorized use of a computer system or to commit mischief.
Philbert has also been charged in the U.S., according to a federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
The indictment alleges that Philbert conspired with others to damage computers, "and in the course of that conspiracy did damage a computer belonging to the State of Alaska in April 2018."
He is facing one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers, and one count of fraud and related activity in connection with computers.
In the Canadian investigation, OPP say they seized evidence including desktop and laptop computers, a tablet, several hard drives and cell phones, a Bitcoin seed phrase and blank cards with magnetic stripes.
The accused is being held in custody pending further court appearances, police said. He was arrested on Nov. 30, but police announced the charges on Tuesday.
"Cyber criminals are opportunistic and will target any business or individual they identify as vulnerable,” OPP deputy commissioner Chuck Cox said in a news release. “The OPP continues to demonstrate its ability to seamlessly collaborate on integrated police investigations to combat cybercrimes and other illegal activities.”
Along with the FBI probe, the RCMP and Europol helped the OPP with its 23-month investigation.
The OPP says it has seen a 140 per cent increase in reported cybercrime offences since 2019.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.