Russian linked to Medibank hack reportedly detained for alleged cyber crimes

Aleksandr Ermakov has reportedly been detained in Russia. (Supplied: DFAT)

Russian man Aleksandr Ermakov, who was named responsible for the 2022 Medibank hack, has reportedly been detained in Russia over alleged cyber crimes.

More than 9 million Medibank customers had their names, birth dates, Medicare numbers and sensitive health information stolen in the 2022 breach, much of which was published on the dark web for sale.

The Australian Federal Police could not confirm whether the reported apprehension was related to the Medibank hack or other cyber attacks.

But in a statement, the AFP said it was aware of reports a Russian individual had been detained in Russia for alleged cyber crimes.

The AFP said its investigation remained ongoing and it had no further comment at this stage.

In January, the federal government named Mr Ermakov as the hacker responsible for the data breach in January, and used new cyber laws for the first time to lay financial sanctions on the Russian national.

Australian intelligence has linked Mr Ermakov to the hacking syndicate REvil, a Russian cybercrime gang that supplies hacking tools to novices in return for a cut of any ransoms paid.

Cyber crime experts say it was unlikely Mr Ermakov acted alone in stealing Medibank data.

Russian reports claim Mr Ermakov was the individual detained in relation to the hack.

Medibank reported in its half-year results costs associated to the hack had amounted to $17.6 million, and it expected cybercrime costs to be between $30 to $35 million for this financial year, due to IT and legal costs.