Two hackers, Sagar Steven Singh and Nicholas Ceraolo, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit computer intrusion and aggravated identity theft. They accessed a nonpublic portal maintained by a U.S. law enforcement agency using a stolen password from a law enforcement officer. The Justice Department revealed that Singh and Ceraolo used the stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to sensitive government databases and threatened victims by claiming they could harm their families unless provided with Instagram login credentials.
The hackers, known as “ViLe,” employed extortion tactics such as doxing to extract money from their victims. They collected sensitive personal information, including Social Security and driver’s license numbers, and threatened to post this data publicly unless paid to remove it. Their actions involved significant threats and manipulation, leveraging their access to federal databases to intimidate victims.
Singh and Ceraolo’s messages, revealed by the Justice Department, indicate that they had access to powerful tools and federal databases, which they used to further their criminal activities. Singh reportedly bragged about their capability to request information on anyone in the U.S., underscoring the seriousness of their breach and the potential risks posed to public safety.
Both hackers face up to seven years in prison for their offenses. The case highlights the ongoing threats posed by cybercriminals to sensitive government and personal data, as well as the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such intrusions. The Justice Department National Security Cyber Section continues to oversee the investigation and prosecution of these crimes.
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