A Romanian has been sentenced in France to 4 years in prison for ransomware cyberattacks, with damages amounting to nearly 1 million euros.

Alexandru M., a 44-year-old Romanian, was sentenced in Paris to 5 years in prison, of which 1 year is suspended, for his involvement in cyberattacks with the ransomware 'Umbrella', which targeted companies in Europe. Arrested and extradited to France in June 2024, he was held in custody, and the court also imposed a 3-year ban on possessing weapons, as well as the confiscation of assets.

The investigation was triggered after complaints related to attacks that affected various companies and local communities, causing estimated damages of nearly 1 million euros. Similar attacks were reported in Germany, Spain, Italy, and Sweden between 2020 and 2024, and judicial proceedings were extended internationally. Another defendant, Toma D., was acquitted in this case.