# Ransomware negotiator who scammed victims gets 70-month sentence Mediator colluded with hackers to defraud companies of $75 million in ransom schemes. - **Source:** [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-13 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/65a7d2c5-976f-41df-8c04-c6eeeaa5eedb ## Breach of fiduciary trust Angelo Martino, while serving as a ransomware negotiator for victim companies, conspired with the BlackCat hacker group to leak clients' sensitive information. Using these details, he attempted to increase ransom demands, playing a role in a $75 million fraud scheme that exploited corporate vulnerabilities. ## Extensive fraud network Martino's criminal network targeted five victims, including a medical device manufacturer and non-profit organizations. The victims were forced to pay ransoms ranging from $213,000 to $26.8 million, with total damages exceeding $75 million, showcasing the scale of this coordinated cybercrime operation. ## Justice served Facing up to 20 years in prison, Martino received a 70-month sentence. Post-release, he must pay 10% of his earnings as victim restitution. Authorities have already seized $10 million in assets connected to the scheme, demonstrating law enforcement's commitment to combating cyber-enabled financial crimes. ## BlackCat's operation model Also known as ALPHV, BlackCat conducted major cyberattacks in 2023, including one that disrupted MGM Resorts. The FBI's decryption tool saved over 500 victims from paying $68 million in ransoms. A $10 million bounty has been offered for information leading to the group's administrators. ## DigitalMint's position Martino's employer DigitalMint claims full cooperation with investigators and no prior knowledge of the fraud. The company failed to prevent its negotiator's betrayal, highlighting critical gaps in third-party vendor oversight for sensitive cybersecurity services that require absolute trust. ## Cybersecurity lessons This case underscores the need for companies to reassess cyber resilience strategies, particularly in vetting third-party negotiators. FBI officials called Martino's betrayal of represented victims 'among the most egregious in cybercrime history,' serving as a stark warning about insider threats in digital extortion scenarios. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.engadget.com/2214113/ransomware-negotiator-who-colluded-with-attackers-to-scam-victims-was-sentenced-to-70-months-in-prison/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._