In a significant development, Maksim Silnikau, a notorious Russian-speaking cyber criminal known as “J.P. Morgan”, has been extradited from Poland to the United States to face charges. Silnikau, a Belarussian national also known as Maksym Silnikov, was apprehended in July 2023 in Estepona, Spain, following a joint operation by Spain’s Guardia Civil, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and US authorities after years of investigation.
Silnikau, along with his associates Vladimir Kadariya from Belarus and Andrei Tarasov from Russia, operated a sophisticated cyber criminal network that developed ransomware strains like Reveton and Ransom Cartel, earning them millions of dollars. The group practiced extreme operational and online security measures to evade law enforcement.
The NCA, in collaboration with international partners such as the US Secret Service and FBI, was able to identify and track down the individuals behind this criminal network. The joint investigation, involving several countries, is still ongoing, with authorities reviewing over 50 terabytes of data obtained in the operation.
Silnikau’s criminal career began in 2011 with the development of Reveton, a ransomware strain that targeted individuals with fake police notifications demanding payment. The gang also distributed exploit kits, including the Angler Exploit Kit, for malvertising campaigns. They operated out of a physical office in Kyiv and were involved in various cyber crimes, including wire fraud and computer fraud.
Silnikau and his co-conspirators face multiple charges in New Jersey and Virginia, with potential prison sentences ranging from 10 to 27 years. These indictments mark a significant step in combating ransomware actors and cyber criminals who exploit victims globally. US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Silnikau accountable for their actions in an American courtroom.