WASHINGTON – In a coordinated effort to combat cybercrime, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have imposed sanctions on a Russian web hosting company accused of facilitating ransomware attacks. This move targets Media Land, a service accused of aiding criminals in evading law enforcement, officials announced on Wednesday.

The U.S. Treasury Department revealed that Media Land, along with three of its executives and three related businesses, was penalized for providing access to servers and computer infrastructure used in illicit operations. This action was taken in collaboration with the FBI as part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime.

Additionally, sanctions were levied against Hypercore Ltd., identified by the Treasury as a front for Aeza Group, an internet service provider previously sanctioned by the U.S. earlier this year.

The sanctions aim to restrict the targeted businesses and individuals from accessing property or financial assets within the U.S., UK, and Australia. They also bar companies and citizens from these countries from engaging in transactions with the sanctioned entities and individuals.

Financial institutions and banks that fail to comply with these restrictions risk facing penalties or enforcement actions, reinforcing the seriousness of the international effort to thwart cybercriminal activity.

Earlier this year, the U.S., Britain and Australia imposed sanctions on Russian web-hosting services provider Zservers and two Russian men accused of administering the service in support of Russian ransomware syndicate LockBit.

Ransomware, the costliest and most disruptive form of cybercrime, can severely disrupt local governments, court systems, hospitals and schools as well as businesses. Most gangs are based in former Soviet states and are out of the reach of Western courts.