Brazilian Hacker Charged for $3.2M Bitcoin Extortion Scheme

December 26, 2024December 26, 2024

Brazilian Hacker Faces Charges in U.S. Over Data Extortion Case

A Brazilian citizen, Junior Barros De Oliveira, has been charged in the United States for allegedly attempting to extort a company by threatening to release stolen data. This incident, which occurred in March 2020, highlights the growing issue of cybercrime and data security threats. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) unsealed the indictment earlier this week, detailing the charges against the 29-year-old from Curitiba, Brazil.

Details of the Cybercrime Incident

According to the indictment, De Oliveira faces four counts of extortionate threats involving information obtained from protected computers and four counts of threatening communications. The victim in this case is a Brazilian subsidiary of a New Jersey-based corporation, which suffered a data breach that compromised the confidential information of approximately 300,000 customers on multiple occasions.

Alleged Extortion Attempts:
- In September 2020, De Oliveira allegedly sent an email to the company’s CEO using an alias, demanding a payment of 300 bitcoin (approximately $3.2 million) to refrain from selling the stolen data.
- A month later, he forwarded the initial threat to both the CEO and an executive at the Brazilian subsidiary.
- In a follow-up communication, he offered his "help" in resolving the security breach for a consulting fee of 75 bitcoin (around $800,000 at that time), complete with payment instructions to a Bitcoin wallet.

Potential Consequences for the Defendant

Each of the four counts of extortionate threats could result in a maximum prison term of five years, along with a potential fine of $250,000 or twice the value of any gain or loss, whichever is greater. Similarly, the four counts of threatening communications carry a maximum prison term of two years and the same potential fine.

The Growing Threat of Cyber Extortion

This case underscores the increasing prevalence of cyber extortion and data breaches in today’s digital landscape. Companies must remain vigilant and invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information from malicious actors.

For more insights into cybersecurity threats and prevention strategies, check out our related articles on data protection and digital security best practices.

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Brazilian hacker Junior Barros De Oliveira has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for extorting nearly $3.2 million in cryptocurrency from a New Jersey-based company’s Brazilian branch, compromising sensitive data of about 300,000 customers. He demanded nearly $800,000 in Bitcoin while offering to fix the security issues he exploited. Facing multiple charges, De Oliveira could face significant prison time and fines. This case underscores the escalating threat of cyber extortion, urging businesses to enhance cybersecurity measures, educate employees, and develop incident response plans to protect sensitive data and maintain customer trust.