Karakurt Ransomware Negotiator Sentenced to Prison

A Latvian member of the notorious Karakurt ransomware gang has been sentenced to eight and a half years in US prison for his role as a negotiator and data analyst in the operation. Deniss Zolotarjovs, who received 10 percent of ransom payments in cryptocurrency, helped extort at least 53 organizations between 2021 and 2023, causing 56 million dollars in losses. The 35-year-old was particularly involved in escalating pressure tactics, including recommending the publication of sensitive pediatric patient data when victims refused to pay immediately.