Recent reports circulating on social media suggest that FBI Director Kash Patel has been targeted by the infamous LockBit ransomware group. According to sources, the gang warned Patel that he is surrounded by subordinates who seem more focused on manipulating narratives and issuing misleading statements rather than performing their duties effectively.
In a message that resembles a version originally published on Forbes, the LockBit group first extended their congratulations to Patel for becoming the 9th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, the tone quickly shifted, and the ransomware gang members launched a scathing criticism of his administration.
The controversy began last year when several members of LockBit, a notorious cybercrime group responsible for spreading ransomware globally, were arrested. This led to the takedown of their IT infrastructure in a coordinated effort named Operation Cronos . However, just 45 days after the crackdown, the gang re-emerged with the announcement of LockBit 2.0, vowing to operate with greater intensity. They made it clear that they would target critical federal infrastructure ahead of the November 2024 elections, which saw Donald Trump elected as the 47th President of the United States.
In October 2024, another group claimed to represent LockBit 3.0 and announced that they were focusing on financial institutions and power grids, continuing their efforts to sow political chaos among the public.
But within weeks, their activities seemed to die down. This was largely attributed to the Pentagon’s ongoing surveillance and efforts to disrupt cybercriminal networks responsible for malware attacks and DDoS operations.
Now, in a surprising turn of events, the Russian intelligence-affiliated LockBit group appears to be using a new tactic: directly reaching out to newly sworn in FBI Director Kash Patel. This interaction seems to involve offering him a false narrative, possibly as part of an ongoing psychological operation.
While there has been no official confirmation of these developments—since authorities are still investigating—it’s evident that LockBit is actively promoting this narrative on social media platforms such as Telegram and Facebook. Even some journalists from prominent media outlets have reportedly been contacted to help spread the gang’s fabricated story.
In a curious twist, the criminals seem to be playing a dual game. On one hand, they are praising Donald Trump for his efforts to amend immigration policies and resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Moscow. On the other, they appear to be engaging in a mind game with the FBI Director, possibly to distract Patel from an ongoing campaign that remains hidden from law enforcement.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how much of this controversy surrounding Kash Patel holds any truth. Given the ransomware gang’s long history of launching high-profile attacks, their latest psychological tactics certainly add an element of intrigue and suspense.
