Twitter hacker who took over Kim Kardashian, Obama, and Musk's accounts arrested

Estapona, Spain - Another person involved in the 2020 hacking of the Twitter accounts of celebrities and politicians in order to scam their followers has been found and arrested in Spain.

A team of hackers took over more than 130 celebrity accounts in 2020 to trick their followers into a Bitcoin scam (stock image).
A team of hackers took over more than 130 celebrity accounts in 2020 to trick their followers into a Bitcoin scam (stock image).  © collage: 123RF/ dolgachov & 123RF/ kesu87

Joseph O'Conner (22) from the UK is the latest arrest following the 2020 scam in which hackers took over accounts belonging to the Kardashians, Elon Musk, and even then-presidential candidate Joe Biden in order to scam their followers out of money, according to MarketWatch.

Graham Clark, a teenager from Florida, organized the entire plan, and has already pleaded guilty. He is set to serve a three-year prison stint. Helping him was a 22-year-old individual in Orlando and a 19-year-old in the UK.

The group was able to scam followers of about 130 celebrity accounts out of more than $100,000 before Twitter could regain control. By posing as the various celebs, they posted messages such as "I am giving back to the community. All Bitcoin sent to the address below will be sent back doubled! If you send $1,000, I will send back $2,000. Only doing this for 30 minutes… Enjoy!"

O'Conner was also charged with taking over accounts on Snapchat and TikTok and cyberstalking a minor.

Other charges include obtaining information from a protected computer and three counts of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorization.

Cover photo: collage: 123RF/ dolgachov & 123RF/ kesu87

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