Former Ransomware Negotiator Angelo Martino Pleads Guilty to Helping BlackCat
Summary
Former ransomware negotiator Angelo Martino pleaded guilty to helping BlackCat/ALPHV by sharing confidential information from five victim companies to aid ransom negotiations; DOJ says the group paid him. Authorities seized $10 million in assets.
Key points
- The Justice Department said Martino shared confidential information from five companies with BlackCat/ALPHV to help the group negotiate ransom payments.
- According to the DOJ, BlackCat actors paid Martino for the information.
- Martino, who worked as a ransomware negotiator at an incident response firm, pleaded guilty and faces up to 20 years in prison.
- Law enforcement seized assets worth $10 million from Martino.
- The article says BlackCat targeted more than 1,000 organizations from November 2021 to December 2023; the operation was disrupted by law enforcement, and the group continued for several months before an exit scam after receiving a $22 million ransom.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Guilty plea in a case involving cybersecurity insiders who assisted a ransomware group.
- Impact
- According to the Justice Department, Angelo Martino provided BlackCat/Alphv with confidential information that helped the group negotiate higher ransom payments from victims. Authorities seized $10 million in assets from Martino. BlackCat ransomware attacks targeted more than 1,000 organizations between November 2021 and December 2023.
Threat Actors
Angelo MartinoPleaded guilty to helping ransomware attackers while working as a negotiator. The Justice Department said he provided BlackCat/Alphv with confidential information useful in ransom negotiations.BlackCat/ALPHVCybercrime group responsible for ransomware attacks that targeted more than 1,000 organizations between November 2021 and December 2023. The Justice Department said the group paid Martino for confidential information useful in negotiating ransoms.Kevin Tyler MartinPleaded guilty to participating in ransomware attacks; authorities had charged him with allegedly helping attackers while tasked with helping victims.Ryan GoldbergPleaded guilty to participating in ransomware attacks; authorities had charged him with allegedly helping attackers while tasked with helping victims.