Suspected leader of computer hacking and fraud operation online An international has been extradited to the United States from Poland, to face cybercrime charges in New Jersey and Virginia, US officials said.
Maksim Silnikau, a dual citizen of Belarus and Ukraine, also known as Maksym Silnikov, made his first court appearance Monday (August 12) in Newark, New Jersey, where he faces cybercrime charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The 38-year-old remains in US custody after appearing in court.
Silnikau was known by several names while involved in online crime schemes over the years, including JP Morgan, “xxx,” and “lansky.”
Appearing alongside him in court were his alleged co-conspirators, Volodymyr Kadariya, 38, who is also a dual citizen of Belarus and Ukraine, and Andrei Tarasov, 33, a Russian citizen.
The Justice Department said the three face charges in New Jersey in connection with a “scheme to deliver the Angler Exploit Kit, malware others, and online fraud on the computers of millions of unsuspecting internet users through online advertising – called ‘malvertising,’” from October 2013 to March 2022.
Prosecutors say Angler allows cybercriminals to send malware by exploiting vulnerabilities in browser internet and plug-in.
Unsuspecting victims receive malvertising, or fraudulent messages that tell them their devices are infected with a virus. Victims are often tricked into purchasing or downloading malicious software that gives hackers remote access to the victim’s personal information, including financial information.
Silnikau was also accused of making and using ransomwareincluding to carry out attacks on companies based in New York and California.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the U.S. has taken “steps forward in combating ransomware actors and malicious cybercriminals who prey on victims in the U.S. and around the world.”
“As alleged, for more than a decade, the defendants used a number of online masquerades and a network of fake advertising campaigns to spread ransomware and defrauded American businesses and consumers. Now, thanks to the hard work of federal agents and prosecutors, as well as our Polish law enforcement colleagues, Maksim Silnikau will have to answer for these serious charges in an American courtroom,” Monaco said of Silnikau.
“Cybercriminals should know that even if they try to hide their criminal activities behind the anonymity of the internet, ultimately, through the dedication of international law enforcement professionals, they will be caught and held accountable for their actions,” said Brian Lambert, assistant director of investigations for the Secret Service.
In New Jersey, Silnikau, Kadariya and Tarasov face a maximum sentence of 27 years in prison for the online fraud conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison for the computer fraud conspiracy charge and 20 years in prison for each online fraud charge, the Justice Department said.
In Virginia, Silnikau faces a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of 20 years on charges that include conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, conspiracy to commit online fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and two counts each of online fraud and aggravated identity theft. (ab/ns)
Some of the information in this report comes from Agence France-Presse.
