Teen Charged in US Over $8M Crypto Ransom Plot Extradited
Peter Stokes, 19, faces US charges for role in failed $8 million crypto ransom scheme.
A 19-year-old from the United Kingdom has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to an attempted $8 million cryptocurrency ransom. Peter Stokes, also known online as 'Skids,' is accused of participating in a hacking group that targeted a US company.
Details of the Scheme
According to court documents, Stokes and alleged co-conspirators hacked into a company's systems and demanded $8 million in cryptocurrency to restore access. The ransom was never paid. Stokes was arrested in the UK in 2023 and has now been transferred to US custody.
The group, often referred to as 'Scattered Spider,' is suspected of multiple cyberattacks. Stokes faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer intrusions, which carry potential prison sentences.
The case highlights ongoing international efforts to combat crypto-related extortion. Prosecutors allege the group targeted over a hundred companies, seeking ransoms in Bitcoin and Monero.