In brief
Peter Stokes, 19, was seized in Finland after an Interpol Red Notice and handed over to U.S. authorities for alleged participation in Scattered Spider’s ransomware and fraud attacks. He is charged with computer intrusion, conspiracy and fraud following years of activity that allegedly generated over $100 million in ransom. The case follows two other young hackers who pleaded guilty to a £39 million Transport for London cyber‑attack, a breach that the UK National Crime Agency linked to the same gang. U.S. and Finnish investigators, including the FBI’s Chicago and Copenhagen offices, focused on Stokes’ role in a data‑theft operation targeting a luxury jewellery retailer, demanding an $8 million ransom that was ultimately forfeited after the company defended itself. The indictment underscores the growing threat posed by young, English‑speaking hackers orchestrated across the UK and US.
Peter Stokes, 19, was arrested in Finland in April and extradited to the US following an Interpol Red Notice.
He has been charged with computer intrusion, conspiracy and fraud after “years of work” linked to the Scattered Spider hacking group.
The DoJ says the gang’s operations have generated more than $100 million (£75 million) in ransom payments.
The charges were brought after two young men pleaded guilty to offenses related to a £39 million 2024 Transport for London cyber‑attack, which the UK National Crime Agency believes was carried out by Scattered Spider.
Stokes, a dual US‑Estonian national, appeared in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday and was ordered to remain in custody.
The complaint alleges that Stokes and co‑conspirators demanded an approximately $8 million ransom in cryptocurrency from a luxury jewellery retailer after stealing its data last year.
No ransom was paid after the unnamed company “evicted” the hackers, the DoJ said, but the retailer suffered at least $2 million in losses due to disruption and mitigation measures.
Investigators from the FBI (working in Copenhagen and Chicago) and Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation collaborated on the case.
Scattered Spider’s members are thought to be young, native English speakers from the US and UK.
