Former ransomware negotiator sentenced to 70 months for extorting $75.3 million

A former ransomware negotiator for DigitalMint has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for extorting $75.3 million from five U.S. companies he was hired to help, based on information published by CyberScoop.

Angelo John Martino III, a former ransomware negotiator for DigitalMint, was sentenced to 70 months in jail for deceiving his employer’s clients and conspiring with ransomware affiliates to extort a combined $75.3 million from five U.S. companies. Martino exploited his position by sharing confidential information, including victim organizations’ negotiating positions and insurance policy limits, to benefit himself and BlackCat affiliates. Five victims, including a nonprofit, a financial services company, and a hospitality company, paid ransoms between April and September 2023. Martino also admitted to conspiring with other former DigitalMint employees to deploy BlackCat ransomware against five additional companies.

While he and his co-conspirators split a $1.3 million ransom from a medical company, they did not secure payments from the other four. DigitalMint stated it was unaware of Martino's criminal acts and terminated him upon notification from the Justice Department. Martino's assets, including homes, cryptocurrency, vehicles, a food truck, and a fishing boat, totaling $10 million, were seized. He is scheduled to return to court in September to determine restitution.

Source: CyberScoop