Ransomware negotiator pleads guilty to aiding gang

Angelo Martino, a former ransomware negotiator, has pleaded guilty to assisting cybercriminals by providing confidential information to the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group. Martino admitted to feeding victims' insurance limits and negotiation strategies to the attackers to maximize payouts, for which he received a share. This marks the third such case in the past year involving ransomware negotiators betraying clients. Martino faces up to 20 years in prison and had $10 million in assets seized. He is also accused of helping deploy the ransomware, earning over $1.2 million from one victim.