Former Ransomware Negotiator Sentenced to Prison for Role in Cybercrime
An individual, aged 41, who previously worked as a ransomware negotiator, has been handed a nearly six-year prison sentence in the United States for collaborating with the now-defunct BlackCat ransomware group to extort multiple victims. The individual also conspired with two other cybersecurity professionals to target additional victims in 2023.
Prosecutors stated that the individual, Angelo Martino, acted as a “double agent” by working to maximize harm to clients while boosting financial gains for cybercriminals involved in the scheme. Martino pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to extortion in April.
Martino’s actions included providing confidential information to BlackCat attackers, such as details on victims’ insurance policy limits and negotiation positions, ultimately leading to higher ransom demands.
Collusion and Consequences
Additionally, Martino collaborated with Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin to deploy BlackCat ransomware against multiple U.S. victims between April 2023 and November 2023. Goldberg and Martin, who were also involved in the cybercrime, received four-year prison sentences in May 2026.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones expressed disappointment in Martino’s actions, emphasizing how the individual betrayed the trust of victims and assisted ransomware criminals in exploiting them for financial gain.
Legal Actions and Asset Seizure
The Justice Department has seized $10 million in assets from Martino, including digital currency, vehicles, a food truck, and a luxury fishing boat purchased using illicit proceeds. Martino is set to appear in court in September 2026 for further proceedings.
Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI Cyber Division condemned Martino’s actions, highlighting how the individual compromised victims’ negotiating positions to benefit himself and cybercriminals.
