German cops add Black Basta boss to EU most-wanted list

German cops have added Russian national Oleg Evgenievich Nefekov to their list of most-wanted criminals for his services to ransomware.

Nefekov, 35, is accused of spearheading the Black Basta ransomware operation, which suffered a similar fate as Conti last year – ceasing activity after a major internal leak.

His name and face also now appear on the EU's most-wanted list after German authorities issued an appeal for information leading to his capture on Thursday.

Active since 2022, Black Basta was the group that filled the LockBit-shaped void in the ransomware scene after the former juggernaut's downfall in 2024. It quickly became the leading group thereafter and attacked around 700 organizations worldwide, according to Germany's federal police (BKA).

The BKA accused Nefekov of being the "founder and ringleader" of Black Basta. Authorities say he is responsible for every attack the ...