DC Police confirms cyberattack after ransomware gang leaks confidential data

In April 2021, Metropolitan Police Department had confirmed that they experienced a cyberattack after the Babuk ransomware gang leaked screenshots of data they had stolen from the department. The DC Police stated that they are aware of a breached server and that the FBI is investigating the matter.

“We are aware of unauthorized access on our server. While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter.”

Initially the Babuk group demanded $4 million not to release the files included details on operations, disciplinary records, and files related to gang members and ‘crews’ operating in DC which had to be paid within three days of Babuk group’s demand.

“Hello! Even an institution such as DC can be threatened, we have downloaded a sufficient amount of information from your internal networks, and we advise you to contact us as soon as possible, to prevent leakage, if no response is received within 3 days, we will start to contact gangs in order to drain the informants, we will continue to attack the state sector of the usa, fbi csa, we find 0 day before you, even larger attacks await you soon,”

But Metropolitan Police Department only offered $100,000 which was rejected.

Updated on the 12^th of May.

On the 11^th of May, the Babuk group published extensive profiles of 22 officers which are highly detailed and include personal information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, results of psychological assessments, copies of driver’s licenses, fingerprints, polygraph test results, as well as residential, financial and marriage history. This came about due to negotiations between Metropolitan Police Department and Babuk group falling through after the Department’s counteroffer of $100,000 was rejected by Babuk group.