A pair of rogue cyber ransomware negotiators, Kevin Tyler Martin and Ryan Clifford Goldberg, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion. The two men allegedly extorted millions of dollars from multiple companies in a scheme that began in May 2023.
According to the indictment, Martin and his accomplices used malicious software to conduct ransomware attacks against victims, including a medical company in Florida. They demanded a total of $10 million to unlock the systems but ultimately made off with only $1.2 million.
Goldberg, who worked for Sygnia Cybersecurity Services, initially denied involvement in the scheme when interviewed by the FBI. However, he later claimed that he was recruited by another suspect and engaged in the scheme to get out of debt.
The two men were indicted on charges of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion, interference with interstate commerce, and intentional damage to a protected computer. Goldberg has been taken into custody and is being held pending trial, while Martin was released on $400,000 bond.
DigitalMint, the company where both men worked, denied any wrongdoing and cooperated with the investigation. The company fired both employees and issued a statement saying it “continues to be a cooperating witness in the investigation.”
Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2025/11/02/crytpo-cryptocurrency-crime-chicago-digital-mint-ransom-ransomware-hack