Ransom Cartel ransomware creator sentenced to 16 years in prison

The DOJ sentenced Belarusian national Maksim Silnikau to 16 years for operating the Ransom Cartel ransomware-as-a-service operation that from 2021–2023 enabled affiliates to attack at least 18 companies worldwide, causing known losses of over $6.7M and attempted extortion of at least $5.2M; the group stole data, encrypted systems with an encryptor sharing similarities to REvil, negotiated ransoms (including payments of $125K and $300K by law firms), and laundered proceeds through cryptocurrency mixers. Silnikau recruited affiliates and initial access brokers via underground forums, ran an affiliate management site, and was arrested in Spain, fled, was recaptured near Belarus, extradited to the U.S., and prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia.