von • UK citizen Joseph James O’Connor pleads guilty to cybercrime with over $794k in losses.
• O’Connor was extradited from Spain and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
• The cyber attacks included SIM swapping and other frauds via a fake crypto giveaway scam.
Cybercriminal Pleads Guilty to Over $794K Crypto Fraud
A UK citizen, 23-year-old Joseph James O’Connor, recently pleaded guilty to orchestrating a series of cyberattacks that resulted in victims losing over $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency. As a result of his crimes, he faces the possibility of spending many years behind bars.
Extradition & Charges
O’Connor was extradited from Spain on April 23rd and is now facing multiple charges including conspiracy to commit computer hacking, cyber intrusion, cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and more. These charges are linked to the July 2020 high-profile Twitter hack which enabled scammers to steal thousands of dollars worth of bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptos through fake giveaway campaigns.
Sophisticated Cyberattacks
In addition to the Twitter hack, O’Connor also used sophisticated SIM swapping techniques for stealing over $794k worth of crypto from a Manhattan-based firm. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 23rd before Judge Rakoff at the Southern District Court in New York City. If found guilty he could face up to 20 years in prison for these offences.
Victims Impacted By Fraud
The US Department of Justice revealed that victims suffered due to this malicious activity by O’Connor stating that “Joseph O’Connor used his sophisticated technological abilities for malicious purposes – conducting a complex SIM swap attack to steal large amounts of crypto, hacking Twitter, conducting computer intrusions to take over social media accounts and even cyberstalking two victims – including a minor victim.“
Conclusion
This case serves as an important reminder about practicing safe online habits when dealing with cryptocurrencies or any potentially sensitive information online as hackers can use various methods such as SIM swapping or other sophisticated schemes while attempting frauds like this one conducted by Joseph James O‘ Connor who now faces serious consequences for his actions
