Feds Charge Five Young Adults Over Multi-Million Dollar Hacking Operation

As a seasoned researcher with extensive experience in cybercrime investigations, I find this case particularly intriguing and alarming at the same time. The sophistication of these young individuals, alleged to be behind such a wide-reaching phishing scam, is both astounding and concerning. They’ve managed to infiltrate not only personal data but also cryptocurrency accounts, demonstrating a level of technical prowess that is often associated with more experienced cybercriminals.


The announcement revealing the charges explains that the 5 charges used — “phishing text messages and then used the harvested employee credentials to log in and steal non-public company data and information and to hack into virtual currency accounts to steal millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.”

The defendants have been identified as

  • Ahmed Hossam Eldin Elbadawy, 23, a.k.a. “AD,” of College Station, Texas;
  • Noah Michael Urban, 20, a.k.a. “Sosa” and “Elijah,” of Palm Coast, Florida;
  • Evans Onyeaka Osiebo, 20, of Dallas, Texas; and
  • Joel Martin Evans, 25, a.k.a. “joeleoli,” of Jacksonville, North Carolina.
  • Tyler Robert Buchanan, 22, from the United Kingdom.

The charges levied against them include — conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The accused face jail time of over 20 years each.

Akil Davis, in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office as Assistant Director, expressed little mercy towards the suspects thought to have stolen personal data with the intention of gaining access to cryptocurrency accounts— “Such fraudulent requests are common and easily swindle American citizens out of their savings with just a mouse click. I am proud of our exceptional cyber agents whose efforts have uncovered the alleged perpetrators, who now face potential lengthy prison sentences if found guilty.

Phishing is a type of internet fraud that involves tricking people into giving away confidential data. This tactic has become particularly popular among cybercriminals who aim to exploit employees of digital currency firms and well-known crypto investors, as they are believed to have access to cryptocurrency wallets or exchange accounts due to the assumption that such information might be valuable.

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2024-11-27 16:06