DeeperML

The FBI has issued a warning regarding a new data extortion scam where criminals are impersonating the BianLian ransomware group. These fraudsters are sending physical letters through the United States Postal Service to corporate executives, claiming their networks have been breached. The letters demand Bitcoin payments in exchange for preventing the release of sensitive company data.

Analysis suggests these letters are fraudulent, and organizations, particularly within the US healthcare sector, are advised to report such incidents to the FBI. Security vendors, including Arctic Wolf and Guidepoint Security, have studied these letters and believe the campaign is a ruse by someone pretending to be BianLian. The letters mimic conventional ransom notes, demanding payments of between $250,000 to $350,000 within 10 days.

This activity highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who are now employing postal mail to target high-profile individuals in an attempt to extort money under false pretenses. The FBI urges companies to implement internal protocols for verifying ransom demands and to remain vigilant against these deceptive practices. It’s crucial for organizations to discern fake attacks from real ones amidst the increasing complexity of cybercrime.


References :

• Arctic Wolf: Self-Proclaimed “BianLian Groupâ€� Uses Physical Mail to Extort Organizations
• CyberInsider: Fake BianLian Ransom Notes Delivered to Executives via Post Mail
• DataBreaches.Net: Bogus ‘BianLian’ Gang Sends Snail-Mail Extortion Letters
• www.csoonline.com: Ransomware goes postal: US healthcare firms receive fake extortion letters
• PCMag UK security: Businesses Are Receiving Snail Mail Ransomware Threats, But It's a Scam
• BrianKrebs: Someone has been snail mailing letters to various businesses pretending to be the BianLian ransomware group.
• Cyber Security News: FBI Warns of Data Extortion Scam Targeting Corporate Executives
• gbhackers.com: FBI Warns: Threat Actors Impersonating BianLian Group to Target Corporate Executives
• techcrunch.com: There is no confirmed link between the campaign and the actual BianLian ransomware group, making this an elaborate impersonation.
• thecyberexpress.com: FBI Issues Urgent Warning About Data Extortion Scam Targeting Corporate Executives
• Email Security - Blog: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently released an urgent advisory pertaining to a sophisticated email-based extortion campaign.
• Threats | CyberScoop: The FBI is warning business leaders about the scam perpetrated by an unidentified threat group.
• gbhackers.com: The novel approach highlights a shift in extortion tactics.
• Vulnerable U: Executives Receive Fake Snail Mail BianLian Ransomware Notes
• Malwarebytes: Ransomware threat mailed in letters to business owners
• www.scworld.com: The FBI is warning of a ransomware operation targeting C-suite executives via the US Postal Service.
• Cyber Security News: Fake BianLian Ransom Scams Target U.S. Firms Through Mailed Letters
• borncity.com: CISA warning: Cyber criminals (BianLian Groupe) attempt to blackmail executives
• Jon Greig: The FBI warned executives of a new scam where people claiming to be part of the BianLian ransomware gang are mailing physical letters with threats Arctic Wolf said it is aware of at least 20 organizations or executives who have received these letters
• Kali Linux Tutorials: Cyber Threat Group Sends Paper-Based Extortion Letters
• The DefendOps Diaries: Cybercriminals exploit YouTube's copyright system to extort creators, spreading malware and demanding ransoms.
• www.bleepingcomputer.com: Cybercriminals are sending bogus copyright claims to YouTubers to coerce them into promoting malware and cryptocurrency miners on their videos.

Classification:

• HashTags: #Ransomware #Extortion #CyberScam
• Company: FBI
• Target: Corporate executives
• Attacker: BianLian Group
• Feature: Extortion letters
• Type: Extortion
• Severity: Medium