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Cybercrime

Police & Fire
Virginia Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT RELEASE HIM’ Virginia Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT RELEASE HIM’
Virginia Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT Release HIM’ A disturbing child predator case in Virginia is now drawing national attention — with federal officials issuing a blunt warning: do not release Angel David Rubio Marin. The 20-year-old Manassas man is being held after allegedly offering young children money — including Roblox’s in-game currency “Robux” — in exchange for sexually explicit videos, according to investigators. Now, the US Department of Homeland Security says it has lodged an immigration detainer and is urging officials not to let him walk free. “VIRGINIA, DO NOT RELEASE THIS CRIMINAL,” DHS said in a public statement Tuesday. …

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by Zak Failla
News
‘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 …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate
Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate A 26-year-old Virginia man who was the leader in an online group that cyber stalked and terrorized young girls online will spend years in federal prison, authorities announced. Evan Strauss, of Moneta, who goes by the monikers "Reaper" and Kobe Deonsons" was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 1 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to stalking and child pornography offenses last year. The charges stem from a toxic relationship he formed online with a 17-year-old girl from Wyoming, whom he harassed and controlled for months.  The minor—identified in court documents only as Minor A—was t…

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by Zak Failla
News
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 …

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by Chris Spiker
News
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
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 …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
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…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Maryland Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say Maryland Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say
Maryland Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say A "depraved and dangerous predator" in Maryland who preyed on more than 100 young girls across the globe is facing decades in prison, federal authorities announced on Wednesday.  Silver Spring resident Chase William Mulligan pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child sexual abuse material after targeting minors on social media and "sextorted them."  Specifically, through the scheme, prosecutors say that Mulligan coerced at least 108 girls — ranging from ages 5-17 — to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves.  When the girls told him they no longe…

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by Zak Failla
News
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.  …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
$1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says $1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says
$1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says A single text message, sent to the wrong person, led to one of the largest cryptocurrency recoveries in Virginia history. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced Monday, Feb. 24, that it seized $1.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency—recovered from a sophisticated “pig butchering” scam.  Officials believe the bust is among the first and largest of its kind in the state. “This seizure sends a clear signal to bad actors: Loudoun County is coming for you,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said. “We will not allow our citizens to be taken advantage of and will do everything possible to get…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
DMV Stalker Who Sent Pornographic Videos Of Victim To Family, Friends Heads To Fed Pen DMV Stalker Who Sent Pornographic Videos Of Victim To Family, Friends Heads To Fed Pen
DMV Stalker Who Sent Pornographic Videos Of Victim To Family, Friends Heads To Fed Pen A Maryland man who relentlessly stalked his victim and the victim's family, employer, and tenants has been sentenced to prison time, federal officials in Virginia said. Joseph Bourabah, 27, of North Bethesda, MD, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. to eight years and four months in prison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber said. In September 2021, Bourabah, using a fake account, began sharing pornographic content of a victim on Facebook and spreading false accusations about the victim, Aber said alongside Brian Dugan, S…

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by Cecilia Levine