The message, made in a post to LockBit’s dark web blog on Tuesday, masquerades as a congratulatory note before attempting to pit Patel against the FBI’s workforce.
“Dear Kash Patel! I wish you Happy Birthday! I also congratulate you on your position as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and wish you professional success, because it will be not easy for you,” the message begins. “You are surrounded by liars, professional manipulators, respected Kash Patel.”
The blog’s author further claims to be a “worthy son of the American Fatherland” and alleges that LockBit’s ransomware operation, which has been described by international law enforcement as “the world’s most harmful cyber crime group,” was actually built to improve U.S. national security.
After describing themselves as “an honest businessman,” the author goes on to point the finger at the FBI as “the real threat.”
“These very real extortionists, liars, blackmailers, manipulators, known to you as subordinates—FBI agents, have flooded our country with fakes and declared me as a threat,” the blog continues.
Most notably, the post attempts to lure Patel into contacting LockBit directly by promising him an “archive of classified information” that will supposedly expose corruption within the FBI.
