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In a riveting turn of events, three individuals have been indicted for orchestrating an identity theft conspiracy, with the spotlight on their alleged involvement in the $400 million hack of beleaguered cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The unfolding narrative reveals a sophisticated SIM-card swapping scheme that drained FTX’s virtual wallets on the same day it filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2022.
Key Highlights of the Indictment:
- Identity Theft Conspiracy:
- Robert Powell, the purported 26-year-old ringleader, stands accused of spearheading a SIM-card swapping group that executed the FTX hack.
- Powell, along with Carter Rohn, 24, and Emily Hernandez, 23, faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and access device fraud.
- Modus Operandi:
- The indictment spans a scheme operating from March 2021 to April 2023, involving the trio traveling across 15 states and targeting cellphone retail stores.
- More than 50 victims fell prey to the conspiracy, with the group stealing personal information, creating fake IDs, and accessing victims’ online, financial, and social media accounts.
- SIM-Card Swapping Technique:
- The conspiracy relied on duping phone companies into swapping SIM cards, enabling the hackers to control victims’ cellphones.
- This technique circumvented multifactor authentication, granting the perpetrators access to victims’ accounts and their financial resources.
- FTX Hack Connection:
- While the indictment doesn’t explicitly name FTX, details align with the known facts of the cryptocurrency exchange’s hack in November 2022.
- Powell allegedly instructed co-conspirators to execute a SIM swap of an FTX employee’s cellphone account on the day FTX filed for bankruptcy.
- Cryptocurrency Transfers:
- On the same day as the FTX hack, the conspirators transferred over $400 million in virtual currency from FTX’s wallets to their controlled wallets.
- The indictment highlights additional crypto thefts from various victims in the weeks leading up to and following the FTX hack.
- Arrests and Legal Proceedings:
- Powell, based in Illinois, was released on a $10,000 bond after a detention hearing in Chicago. Carter Rohn was ordered held without bond, and Emily Hernandez was released on a $10,000 bond.
- Legal proceedings are set to continue, with Rohn’s detention hearing scheduled later in Washington, D.C.
This revelation sheds light on the intricate workings of a cybercrime ring, exposing the vulnerabilities in the security landscape of cryptocurrency exchanges. The FTX hack, coupled with the ensuing investigation and arrests, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats faced by the crypto industry. As legal proceedings unfold, the crypto community watches closely, anticipating the implications for the broader cybersecurity landscape.