Key facts
- A 19-year-old dual US-Estonian citizen accused of being a member of the "Scattered Spider" hacking group has been extradited to the United States from Finland.
- The individual faces federal conspiracy, computer intrusion, and fraud charges in Illinois.
- He was arrested in Finland in April following an Interpol Red Notice.
- He appeared in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain in custody.
- The Justice Department stated the hacking group has been involved in over 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments.
A 19-year-old individual, identified as Peter Stokes and holding dual citizenship in the United States and Estonia, has been extradited from Finland to the U.S. to face federal charges. The Justice Department announced that Stokes is accused of being a member of the "Scattered Spider" hacking group, which has been linked to over 100 network intrusions and significant ransom payments.
Stokes faces charges including conspiracy, computer intrusion, and fraud, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday. He was arrested by Finnish authorities in April after an Interpol Red Notice was issued and was extradited to the United States last week. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain in custody.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva stated that Scattered Spider's activities have resulted in more than $100 million in ransom payments and millions more in damages to victims. Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division noted the group's repeated targeting of U.S. companies, extorting employees, and disrupting essential operations. U.S. prosecutors had previously announced charges in 2024 against other alleged members of the group, which is described as a loosely-knit community of hackers suspected of stealing confidential information and cryptocurrency from numerous U.S. companies. Scattered Spider gained notoriety in September 2023 for network intrusions at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, demanding substantial ransoms. Caesars reportedly paid approximately $15 million to restore its systems.