Alright, then. Are you sitting comfortably? Let me spin you a tale about Junior Barros De Oliveira, a 29-year-old lad from Curitiba in Brazil. Now, I don’t want you to have any preconceived notions, because this, my friends, is no ordinary story. It’s a blend of mystery, drama, technology, and good ol’ fashioned crime. So, draw closer and lend me your ears.
In March 2020, our Brazilian friend Junior managed to sneak his way into the computer systems of a rather prominent New Jersey company, or to be accurate, the Brazilian branch of it. Not quite like slipping through a fence, is it? Anyway, once inside the digital fortress, he didn’t simply go about savouring these cyber spoils; he leveraged his unauthorized access and scooped up confidential customer data. And when I say confidential, we’re talking about details of around 300,000 customers — a truly staggering amount!
Like any good tale, there’s a twist. Instead of going on a shopping spree or maybe just laying low, Junior decided he fancied a bit of mischief. In September of that year, he chose to reach out to the big cheeses over at the US branch, including the CEO. But, he wasn’t just up for a chat — he wanted money. Our friend demanded not in material cash, but in Bitcoin, and he wasn’t being shy about it. Junior wanted around $3 million in exchange for keeping the stolen data under his hat and off the World Wide Web.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. A slap on the wrist and a quick scolding, right? Not quite. He was charged with four counts each of making threats to publicize stolen information and threatening communications, which in plain English means he was in deep water.
The mucky water he dug up came with a bit of a sting. If he were found guilty on all charges, each count of threatening to release the stolen data could land him with up to five years in the clink and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value gained. Each charge of threatening communications could add another two years to his prison sentence, along with another hefty fine.
Who’s the one counting all this stuff, you ask? Why, it’s the office of the US Attorney, led by Philip R. Sellinger, representing America’s side. They worked closely with the FBI in Newark, under the direction of one Nelson I. Delgado. Both served to ensure this young man faced the music for his digital misdemeanors.
But, as it stands, it’s important to remember this is all still smoke and mirrors — accusations in the wind. Junior — like anyone else — is presumed innocent until his day in court, where his fate will be decided.
So, there you have it, my friends. A dash of technology, sprinklings of intrigue and suspense, and a whole lot of lessons to learn about the world of cybercrime. Now, wasn’t that an interesting tale?
by Parker Bytes
