play
ransomware group · aka Play, PlayCrypt, Water Curupira Pikapilya (Trend Micro tracking name) · unknown; widely assessed as likely Russia-based, though no confirmed attribution · active since 2022
Play (PlayCrypt) is a double-extortion ransomware group first publicly documented in 2022, known for a leak-first extortion model, distinctive ransom notes that omit ransom amounts and contact details, and encryption support for Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. Victim sectors reported include government facilities, critical infrastructure, education facilities, information technology, healthcare/public health, financial services, and manufacturing, across North America, South America, and Europe. Per the FBI/CISA #StopRansomware advisory update (December 2024), Play had affected approximately 900 organizations worldwide, up from about 300 as of July 2023. The group gains access by exploiting known vulnerabilities in internet-facing appliances and remote-monitoring/management (RMM) software, supplemented by valid-account use. Dashboard tracking: 2 victims in the last 7/30/90 days, 2 total since 2026-09-09; last post 2026-09-09.
- Exploits known vulnerabilities in Fortinet devices for initial access (CVE-2018-13379, CVE-2020-12812, CVE-2020-15310) per FBI/CISA advisory (2024 update)
- Exploited SimpleHelp RMM path-traversal flaw CVE-2024-5776 as an access vector per FBI/CISA advisory (January 2025)
- Uses valid accounts, RDP, and RMM/remote-access tooling for lateral movement and persistence
- Living-off-the-land operations: GPO and scheduled-task deployment, disabling Microsoft Defender, use of batch/PowerShell tooling (FBI/CISA, 2023)
- Exfiltrates victim data before encryption; reported use of rsync for data transfer
- Double extortion via Tor-based 'Play News' leak site; ransom notes characteristically lack ransom amount and initial contact information
- Encrypts across Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD systems
Dallas County, Texas (2023; attribution via widely reported press coverage), Red Star Oil (leak-site post tracked by this dashboard, posted 2026-09-09), GT Distributors (leak-site post tracked by this dashboard, posted 2026-09-09)
No public figure.
Leak-site victims1,282 posts · newest first
| Victim | Discovered | Details |
|---|---|---|
| PermaCold Engineering | · May 1, 2025 | — |
| Missouri Pipe Fittings | · May 1, 2025 | — |
| Cooper Global Chauffeured | · May 1, 2025 | — |
| BOLL Logistik | · May 1, 2025 | — |
| Gorham Sand & Gravel | · May 1, 2025 | — |
| FMT Consultants | · Apr 28, 2025 | — |
| Mantel Machine Products | · Apr 28, 2025 | — |
| Scientel Solutions | · Apr 28, 2025 | — |
| Haas & Associates | · Apr 28, 2025 | — |
| Crawford Door Sales | · Apr 28, 2025 | — |
| Jet Ice | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| Independent Financial Services | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| NESCTC | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| The Human Bean | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| Lantronix | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| All Book Covers | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| Suburban Carting | · Apr 22, 2025 | — |
| Red Chamber | · Apr 16, 2025 | — |
| Waller | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Miller Boskus Lack Architects | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Cortez Resources | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Comport Technology Solutions | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Merri-Makers | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| O'Brien & Ryan | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Voigt-Abernathy Company | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Destination Toronto | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| James & Sons Fine Jewelers | · Apr 15, 2025 | — |
| Calmont Group | · Apr 14, 2025 | — |
| C?l???t Group | · Apr 11, 2025 | — |
| Bonick Landscaping | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| Sfrent.net | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| The Study | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| Codinter | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| PAC Strapping Products | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| New York Sports Club | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| Noyen Construction | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| KER Custom Molders | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| Cane Creek Cycling Components | · Apr 10, 2025 | — |
| ABITL Finishing | · Apr 5, 2025 | — |
| Baltimore Steel Erectors | · Apr 5, 2025 | — |
| Hawk Technology | · Apr 5, 2025 | — |
| Csm Engineering | · Apr 5, 2025 | — |
| Royal Glass | · Apr 4, 2025 | — |
| Fraser Trebilcock | · Apr 4, 2025 | — |
| Hop Industries | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
| Lifebreath | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
| Parvin-Clauss Sign Company | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
| OTA Management | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
| Fulfillment Plus | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
| Regionale Verkehrsbetriebe | · Apr 2, 2025 | — |
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