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Cybercrime

‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About ‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About
‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About What starts as a teen romance turns into a cyber nightmare in Netflix’s new true-crime documentary "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" — and the final twist is jaw-dropping. Directed by Skye Borgman and released last week, the film explores the chilling real-life case of 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen, from Beal City, MI.  In October 2020 Lauryn and Owen began receiving bizarre texts from an unknown number. After a pause, the messages resumed in September 2021 — and this time, they didn’t stop. For the next 15 months, Lauryn was bombarded daily with …
NJ Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online: Prosecutor NJ Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online: Prosecutor
NJ Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online: Prosecutor A 42-year-old Point Pleasant Borough foster parent was arrested and charged after he uploaded nude images of his foster children to the internet, authorities announced Friday, Aug, 29 An investigation into John Olson began following a cybertip that he was uploading child pornography via the Kik app, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.  On Friday, Aug. 22, detectives and a SWAT team searched Olson's home and seized his electronic devices, Billhimer said. Law enforcement discovered Olson had placed cameras in his children's bedrooms, Billhimer said. A cell phone belonging to…
Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns
Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns A cybercriminal group known for extorting people and companies across the world is now targeting the airline industry. The FBI has issued a warning about Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has  expanded its operations to include major US airlines and their vendors.  The group is known for using convincing impersonation tactics to access corporate networks, often bypassing multi-factor authentication by tricking IT staff into adding unauthorized devices. Scattered Spider impersonates employees or contractors to deceive help desks. "These techniques frequently involve methods …
Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info
Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info Aflac has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that may have compromised sensitive customer information. The company is the latest target in a string of attacks on major insurance providers. The company said the intrusion was first detected on Thursday, June 12, prompting an immediate internal response.  While systems remained operational and no ransomware was involved, investigators say the breach was part of a broader cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry. Aflac said the attacker used social engineering tactics to infiltrate its US network. A review of impacted files is sti…
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know There’s a scam targeting drivers through text messages pretending to be from the DMV. Cybercriminals who once claimed victims owed unpaid tolls are now pivoting to a new phishing attack, according to authorities. If you’ve received a text message warning that your driver’s license is about to be suspended due to unpaid tickets, stop and think before you click. It might be a scam. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are alerting the public about a new wave of phishing scams — specifically “smishing,” or fraudulent text messages — that claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
Teacher, Coach Lured Underage NJ Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says Teacher, Coach Lured Underage NJ Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says
Teacher, Coach Lured Underage NJ Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says Charging documents reveal chilling new details in the case of a former Long Island teacher accused of soliciting nude photos from underage girls. Ryan McCaffery, 37, of Ridge, was indicted for promoting a sexual performance by a child and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, June 4. A New York State Police investigation found that McCaffery – a former Riverhead High School teacher and coach – posed as a teenage boy in order to chat with numerous underage girls on Snapchat, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. He sent images of his exposed genitals and requested nu…
Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says
Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says Most online users say they're worried about data breaches, but still skip basic ways to improve their cybersecurity, according to a new survey. The Acronis Data Privacy in 2025 Survey polled nearly 2,500 adults in the US and seven other countries, finding that many aren't doing enough to protect their personal data. The Swiss tech company found that while 64% of respondents listed data breaches as their top online privacy concern, only one-third back up their data daily or weekly. Fewer than half (46%) said they use security features like two-factor authentication. "Perhaps …
Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know
Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know A global cybercrime tool used to steal passwords and drain bank accounts was shut down in a major takedown led by Microsoft and federal authorities. The tool called Lumma Stealer had infected more than 394,000 Windows computers worldwide between March and May, Microsoft said in a blog post on Wednesday, May 21. Hackers used the malware to target schools, hospitals, banks, and gaming communities, often holding victims for ransom or committing financial fraud. A federal court order allowed Microsoft's digital crimes unit to seize more than 2,300 web domains that powered the malware's ope…
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime Gov. Phil Murphy signed into legislation this week a new law that establishes criminal and civil penalties for producing and distributing deceptive audio or visual media, a.k.a. deepfakes. A3540/S2544, which had bipartisan support, makes it a crime in the third degree for anyone who produces deepfake audio or video media for an unlawful purpose or shares deepfakes created for an unlawful purpose. The creator or distributor could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $30,000 if convicted. Francesca Mori, a student at Westfield High School, has become a staunch advocate for legislati…
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says The FBI has issued a warning about cybercriminals exploiting victims to distribute malware and steal personal information. ​ Fraudulent free online file converter tools offer services like converting or merging files—such as transforming a .doc file to a .pdf or combining multiple images into a single document. While they perform the advertised tasks, they may also install hidden malware on users' computers.  This malware can grant criminals access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, banking details, cryptocurrency information, email addresses, and passwords.  …
NJ Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor NJ Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor
NJ Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor A 25-year-old Mount Laurel police officer pleaded guilty to hacking multiple women's social media accounts and distributing their nude photos, authorities said. Ayron Taylor, a Moorestown resident faces 12 years in prison when he is sentenced in September, per the terms of a plea agreement, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said. A woman contacted Evesham Township police in September 2022, to report her Snapchat and Facebook accounts had been hacked by an unknown person, Bradshaw said. The person then sent nude photos she had taken of herself to her Snapchat contacts, m…
NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief
NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief The Springfield Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer John Paul Patrick suffered a medical episode while on duty on Oct. 6, which Chief John Cook said ultimately led to his passing on Monday, Oct. 21. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Patrick was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. He is survived by a wife, two young children, a host of caring family members and colleagues. Officer Patrick joined the SPD in May 2007 after graduating from the Cape May County Police Academy. After spending the early part of his career as a patrol officer, Patrick was assigned as…
Pair Convicted In Worldwide Ransomware Attacks, Victimizing NJ Residents: Feds Pair Convicted In Worldwide Ransomware Attacks, Victimizing NJ Residents: Feds
Pair Convicted In Worldwide Ransomware Attacks, Victimizing NJ Residents: Feds Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty and were convicted on Thursday, July 18 to participating in the LockBit ransomware group and to deploying attacks on computer systems in New Jersey and worldwide, authorities said. LockBit was described as "one of the most destructive ransomware groups in the world," by U.S. Justice Department officials. Ruslan Magomedeovic Astamirov, 21, a Russian national from the Chechen Republic and Mikhail Vasiliev, 34, from Bradford, Ontario, a dual citizen in Canada and Russia, pleaded guilty to participating in the LockBit ransomware group that targeted critical …