Highly sensitive files related to criminal investigations by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been leaked after the agency refused to pay a ransomware gang.
The gang, known as Qilin, made the files available to download on its dark web leak site on Monday. The data includes phone records and forensic evidence, according to Cybernews. Material reportedly relates to investigations of crimes such as armed robbery, arson and homicide.
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Qilin had given the ATF 72 hours to pay an undisclosed ransom in exchange for not releasing the files. The hackers announced they had breached the ATF more than a week ago.
In a statement after the material was posted online, the ATF confirmed that a “legacy, standalone system,” used in connection with the federal Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, had been accessed.
“ATF is aware of claims concerning the publication of data obtained from an ATF standalone system,” the agency wrote.
But the ATF said it could not “confirm the authenticity, nature, or scope of the material at issue” and that an investigation with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies was underway.
“Given the ongoing review and investigation, ATF cannot provide additional details at this time,” the statement concluded.
Possible Russian ties
The leak exposed the names of person of interest in criminal cases, as well as data that investigators had extracted from cell phones, according to Cybernews. IP addresses and verified phone numbers were also present throughout.
Directory names appeared to refer to specific investigations, including one called “ARMORED TRUCK ROBBERY SERIES 22-23.”
Numerous cybersecurity firms that track ransomware gangs have labeled Qilin with high-confidence as being comprised of Russian speakers.
Qilin made headlines in 2024 in connection to a hack that led to disruptions for the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.
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