British man Joseph James O'Connor, 23, has admitted to his involvement in one of the most high-profile social media hacks, a plot that included the hijacking of top US political and business leaders’ Twitter accounts. The Department of Justice alleges that O’Connor plotted with others to hijack Twitter accounts to promote a scheme to defraud the public, with him paying $10,000 for just one account he requested. He also pleaded guilty to a variety of cybercrimes, including the exploitation of social media accounts, online extortion and cyberstalking.
In July 2020, over 130 Twitter accounts were hacked by Joseph James O'Connor's hacking group. Among those targeted were prominent figures such as Joe Biden and Elon Musk. Their followers were asked by the hackers to send bitcoin with promises that their money would be doubled.
Additionally, using SIM card swaps - an unauthorized technique used in breaking into social media accounts - two media stars became victims of this group's activities: TikTok star Addison Rae and actor Bella Thorne. Though these names did not appear in court filings directly related to this case they have been cited as targets in press reports.
O'Connor was arrested nearly two years ago while residing in Spain but only recently pled guilty for his role within these events which led up to stealing $794012.64 from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency company through further SIM swapping some executives' phones during June last year (2021). It has been reported that Florida teenager Graham Ivan Clark served as mastermind behind this entire operation; after reaching plea agreement back on July 20th-21st he received three-year sentence at juvenile prison facility where will eventually complete term under supervision provided by authorities there currently awaiting outcome regarding other pending charges still being reviewed against him personally involved throughout various aspects related both individually together collectively overall illegal activities carried out over several months leading into eventual capture thereafter subsequent legal proceedings unfolding now more than two full years following initial arrests made.
The sentencing of Joseph James O'Connor is scheduled for June 23, with the consequences of his guilty plea yet to be determined.