Tag:

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 …
$3M In Gold Bars Stolen By PA Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, DA Says $3M In Gold Bars Stolen By PA Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, DA Says
$3M In Gold Bars Stolen By PA Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, DA Says A Pennsylvania man is accused of scamming an elderly woman into believing $18,000 from her bank account was used to purchase pornography, then stealing more than $3 million in gold bars, authorities announced on Monday, July 28. Dharmikkumar Sutariya, 25, of Scranton, is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly posing as a “courier” to defraud a 68-year-old Upper Milford Township woman, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said in a release. Sutariya has been charged with two counts of Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking – Movable Property, Felony Receiving Stolen Property, Fe…
Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In PA: Police Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In PA: Police
Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In PA: Police A Bensalem man is accused of operating social media accounts used to trade disturbing child porn images involving children as young as 4, police announced on Tuesday, July 16. John Breslin, 42, was arrested following a months-long investigation by the Bensalem Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division that began in late June. According to the department, investigators were tipped off by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which flagged multiple accounts for sharing child sexual abuse materials. Among the dozens of files shared or received were graphic…
Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG
Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG A Philadelphia man is accused of secretly stealing nude photos from five victims’ phones and posting them online, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday, July 8. Tyler J. Jones, 33, was charged with Felony Unlawful Use of a Computer, Felony Unlawful Duplication, Misdemeanor Invasion of Privacy, and Misdemeanor Unlawful Dissemination, according to the attorney general. His preliminary arraignment was held early Tuesday morning. His bail was set at $350,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victims, according to court records. Jones accessed the victims’ nude photos …
PA Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, DA Alleges PA Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, DA Alleges
PA Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, DA Alleges He created child sex abuse images using artificial intelligence and broke into a home to steal a girl's underwear, Bucks County authorities said on Thursday, July 3. Christopher L. O'Neill, 46, of Warminster, is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly saving, uploading, and sharing hundreds of child pornography files, including AI-generated images, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives said they uncovered 694 images and videos from O’Neill’s Google Photos account and two AI-generated images from PicsArt. The investigation began on June 10 after the Natio…
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…
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…
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.  …
PA Police, School Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn PA Police, School Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn
PA Police, School Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn A Hatboro Police Department employee and marching band instructor at Upper Moreland School District has been arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for distributing child pornography and has since been fired, officials said. Douglas Penglase, 37, of Hatboro, was charged with distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Federal Investigation Uncovers Hundreds of Exploitative Files The investigation began in May 2024, when Kik reported child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to the Nation…
Registered Sex Offender Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: Berks DA Registered Sex Offender Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: Berks DA
Registered Sex Offender Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook: Berks DA A convicted sex offender in Berks County was busted with hundreds of child pornography files, including images and videos he shared on Facebook, authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 27. Daniel R. Kromer, 60, of Reading, was already a lifetime registered sex offender in Pennsylvania when investigators uncovered his online activity, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office said. Kromer’s criminal history includes convictions for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, both in December 1999. The charges stemmed from incidents on January 1, 1994, and April 15, 1999, r…
Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death
Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death Levi James Maciejewski, the 13-year-old son of Shippensburg University head football coach Mark Maciejewski, was the victim of a heinous online crime that has left his family and community reeling. The family revealed on Friday, Jan. 3, that Levi’s tragic death was caused by sextortion, which law enforcement has classified as a homicide. Mark Maciejewski, the head football coach at Shippensburg University, his wife Tricia, and their son Brady shared their grief in a statement released Friday, Jan. 3. They revealed that Levi’s life was cut short by an online predator who coerced, threatened, …
Man Convinced PA Girl To Send Him Sexual Pics, Videos: Prosecutors Man Convinced PA Girl To Send Him Sexual Pics, Videos: Prosecutors
Man Convinced PA Girl To Send Him Sexual Pics, Videos: Prosecutors A New Jersey man was accused of getting a Pennsylvania girl to send him naked pictures and sexual videos, authorities said. Fredderico Soda, 29, of Tabernacle, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 14, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. The investigation began earlier in 2024 when the county prosecutor's office received a tip about Soda's online activities from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Palmer Township, PA, police were also contacted by the girl's parents about Soda's online interactions with her. Investigators said Soda conti…
Infant Raped By Montgomery County Man While Making Child Porn: DA Infant Raped By Montgomery County Man While Making Child Porn: DA
Infant Raped By Montgomery County Man While Making Child Porn: DA A Montgomery County man raped a 10-month-old boy while making child pornography, according to authorities. Brian Groo, 24, of Horsham, was charged after a video of the infant being raped was found online on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said. Authorities initially learned of the video after receiving a cybertip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children on the same date, according to the district attorney. The video had been shared via an online messaging app called Kik. The cybertip indicated that the video appeared to be newly produc…
PA Daycare Worker, Mom, BF Made Children Perform Sex Acts: Affidavit PA Daycare Worker, Mom, BF Made Children Perform Sex Acts: Affidavit
PA Daycare Worker, Mom, BF Made Children Perform Sex Acts: Affidavit Multiple videos found on a man's phone of young children being sexually abused or being forced to commit sex acts by and on a daycare employee and Mechanicsburg mom have led to two arrests in Cumberland County, according to court documents received by Daily Voice on Monday, Sept. 16.  Morgan Rothenhoefer, 24, of Mechanicsburg, has been charged with the following felonies: corruption of minors, five counts of filming a sex act of a child, deviate sexual intercourse of a child, aggravated indecent assault with a child under 13, and child rape. Jamie Souders, 41, of Middlesex, has be…
Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: USDOJ Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: USDOJ
Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: Usdoj  A 25-year-old Chambersburg man has been sentenced in connection with the hacking of women's Snapchat accounts and subsequent sextorting of them, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday, Aug. 1.  Reginald "Reggie" Adams was sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release by Senior United States District Court Judge Michael Baylson "for hacking into numerous social media accounts and circulating the victims’ private photographs," United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero detailed in the release. Adams had previously pleaded guilty to wir…
Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced
Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A confessed member of a burglary ring that targeted Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. Kevin Jackson, 57, of Rahway, NJ, must serve a little over two years before he'll be eligible for release because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Jackson was part of a second-story crew that the FBI said worked from a hit list of dozens of homes in the four states based on “stereotype and opportunity" from Dec. 2, 2016, to March 20, 2019. One of Jackson's associates told detectives t…