A dual-national from Belarus and Ukraine, Maksim Silnikau, also known as Maksym Silnikov, made his initial court appearance in Newark, New Jersey, following his extradition from Poland. Silnikau faces charges in both the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Virginia for leading international cybercrime schemes.
According to unsealed court documents, Silnikau led two extensive cybercrime operations over multiple years. He is associated with several online aliases including “J.P. Morgan,” “xxx,” and “lansky.”
In New Jersey, Silnikau and co-conspirators Volodymyr Kadariya and Andrei Tarasov are charged with cybercrimes linked to the Angler Exploit Kit malware and other online scams targeting millions of internet users through "malvertising" from October 2013 to March 2022. In Virginia, he is accused of creating and administering the Ransom Cartel ransomware strain starting in May 2021.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated: "Today, the Justice Department takes another step forward in disrupting ransomware actors and malicious cybercriminals who prey on victims in the U.S. and around the world."
Assistant Director Brian Lambert of the U.S. Secret Service commented: "This arrest underscores a long-term investigation by the U.S. Secret Service... Cybercriminals should know that even if they attempt to hide their criminal conduct behind the anonymity of the internet that eventually... they will be apprehended."
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate added: "Silnikau and his co-conspirators allegedly used malware... to target millions of unsuspecting internet users... The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively impose costs on cybercriminals."
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized: "Silnikau’s arrest and extradition demonstrate that... working with its domestic and international partners, the Criminal Division is committed to bringing cybercriminals who target U.S. victims to justice."
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for New Jersey highlighted how conspirators used malvertising campaigns appearing legitimate but redirecting victims to malicious sites.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for Virginia noted: "This case reemphasizes the importance of both cybersecurity and our crucial law enforcement partnerships worldwide."
Special Agent Stephen Cyrus underscored ongoing efforts by stating: "The FBI will continue to work alongside our partners both overseas and in states..."
The indictment details how conspirators tricked advertising companies into delivering malvertising campaigns using fraudulent identities.
Silnikau faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, computer fraud conspiracy, substantive wire fraud counts in New Jersey; conspiracy to commit computer fraud/abuse, wire fraud conspiracy, access device fraud conspiracy along with aggravated identity theft counts in Virginia.
The case involves investigations by various agencies including U.S. Secret Service, FBI Kansas City Field Office among others globally such as UK's National Crime Agency; Spain's Guardia Civil; Germany's Bundeskriminalamt (BKA); Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau etc.
Senior Counsel Aarash A Haghighat along with other prosecutors are handling cases against Silnikau across districts supported significantly by DOJ’s Office Of International Affairs during extradition process ensuring collection evidence crucial towards proceedings underway presently within American judicial system.
An indictment remains an allegation until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt under due legal process prevailing across jurisdictions involved herein ensuring fair trial conducted accordingly upholding principles justice transparency accountability therein safeguarding interests public at large impacted adversely activities perpetrated alleged offenders concerned thus far implicated charged consequently thereof facing repercussions actions taken duly enforced authorities mandated uphold law order consistently uniformly everywhere jurisdictionally applicable therein without exception whatsoever deemed necessary appropriate circumstances warranted addressing issue comprehensively effectively conclusively overall context matter subject discussion scrutiny ongoing currently actively monitored closely developments unfolding periodically updates forthcoming future reference accordingly based progress achieved milestones attained respectively moving forward proactively positively ultimately 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