Related Federal Cases
Maksim Silnikau, International Malvertising and Ransomware, Newark NJ, 2023
A Belarussian and Ukrainian dual-national has been extradited from Poland to face cybercrime charges in New Jersey, accused of leading international malvertising and ransomware schemes.
Maksim Silnikau, 38, also known as Maksym Silnikov, has been charged in the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Virginia with leading two multiyear cybercrime schemes. At different points, Silnikau has been associated with the online monikers “J.P. Morgan,” “xxx,” and “lansky,” among others.
According to court documents, Silnikau and his co-conspirators allegedly used malware and various online scams to target millions of unsuspecting internet users in the United States and around the world. They hid behind online aliases and engaged in complex, far-reaching cyber fraud schemes to compromise victim devices and steal sensitive personal information.
Silnikau is accused of leading a scheme to transmit the Angler Exploit Kit, other malware, and online scams to the computers of millions of unsuspecting victim internet users through online advertisements — so-called “malvertising” — and other means from October 2013 through March 2022. In the Eastern District of Virginia, Silnikau is charged for his role as the creator and administrator of the Ransom Cartel ransomware strain and associated ransomware operations beginning in May 2021.
“Today, the Justice Department takes another step forward in disrupting ransomware actors and malicious cybercriminals who prey on victims in the U.S. and around the world,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged, for over a decade, the defendant used a host of online disguises and a network of fraudulent ad campaigns to spread ransomware and scam U.S. businesses and consumers. Now, thanks to the hard work of federal agents and prosecutors, along with Polish law enforcement colleagues, Maksim Silnikau must answer these grave charges in an American courtroom.”
This arrest underscores a long-term investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with foreign, domestic and private partners, of cybercrime organizations that allegedly distributed the notorious Angler Exploit Kit, conducted malvertising, and operated the Ransom Cartel ransomware organization. “Cybercriminals should know that even if they attempt to hide their criminal conduct behind the anonymity of the internet that eventually, through the dedication of international law enforcement professionals, they will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions,” said Assistant Director of Investigations Brian Lambert of the U.S. Secret Service.
The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively impose costs on cybercriminals and hold them accountable for their actions. “Silnikau and his co-conspirators allegedly used malware and various online scams to target millions of unsuspecting internet users in the United States and around the world,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “They hid behind online aliases and engaged in complex, far-reaching cyber fraud schemes to compromise victim devices and steal sensitive personal information. The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively impose costs on cybercriminals and hold them accountable for their actions.”
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division is committed to bringing cybercriminals who target U.S. victims to justice, no matter where they are located. “These conspirators are alleged to have operated a multiyear scheme to distribute malware onto the computers of millions of unsuspecting internet users around the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “This arrest demonstrates that, working with its domestic and international partners, the Criminal Division is committed to bringing cybercriminals who target U.S. victims to justice, no matter where they are located.”
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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