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Cybercrime Kingpin Nabbed: Belarusian Hacker Faces 100 Years for Global Ransomware and Malvertising Operations
Belarusian-Ukrainian national Maksim Silnikau was arrested and extradited to the USA for creating the Ransom Cartel ransomware operation and running a malvertising scheme. Authorities allege his multiyear scheme distributed malware to millions worldwide.
Hot Take:
When your resume includes “cybercriminal mastermind” and “world’s most prolific malvertiser,” it’s probably time to lawyer up. Maksim Silnikau, aka the Ransom Cartel ringleader, is about to find out that the long arm of the law stretches across continents—and it’s not impressed by your fancy coding skills.
Key Points:
- Silnikau was arrested in Spain and extradited to the USA to face charges for ransomware and malvertising operations.
- He used aliases like “J.P. Morgan,” “xxx,” and “lansky” on Russian-speaking hacking forums.
- Two separate indictments were unsealed against him in New Jersey and Virginia.
- Co-conspirators Volodymyr Kadariya and Andrei Tarasov were also charged in the malvertising scheme.
- If convicted on all charges, Silnikau could face a sentence exceeding 100 years in prison.
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