Cybersecurity Negotiator Gets 70 Months for Helping BlackCat Extort Victims
A former ransomware negotiator who supplied BlackCat ransomware with confidential information from companies seeking help has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
Angelo Martino, 41, of Land O’Lakes, Florida, received the sentence on July 9 for conspiring with operators of the ALPHV, also known as BlackCat ransomware group. US prosecutors said he used his position at a cyber incident response company to help ransomware operators pressure victims into paying higher demands.
Court documents show that Martino began working with BlackCat members in April 2023 while employed as a ransomware negotiator. His job gave him access to private discussions about how affected companies planned to respond, including their negotiating positions and payment strategies.
Prosecutors said Martino passed that information to BlackCat group in exchange for payment. The information allowed the ransomware operators to assess how much victims might pay and adjust their demands during negotiations.
The scheme impacted...
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