Leader of International Malvertising and Ransomware Schemes Extradited from Poland to Face Cybercrime Charges

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the extradition and indictments of Maksim Silnikau for leading multi-year malvertising and malware distribution schemes (including Angler Exploit Kit and scareware) and for creating/administering the Ransom Cartel ransomware operation. The actors used fraudulent ad infrastructure, online personas, and cybercrime forums to deliver malware, sell device access and stolen credentials, and conduct ransomware attacks, including 2021–2022 intrusions on U.S. companies with data theft and extortion; multiple U.S. and international agencies collaborated on the investigation.