Brazilian Hacker Charged for Extorting $3 Million in Bitcoin Cyber Ransom

A Brazilian citizen has been indicted in the United States for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated cyber extortion scheme targeting a New Jersey company's Brazilian subsidiary, demanding $3 million in Bitcoin after breaching the organization's computer systems.

Junior Barros De Oliveira, 29, from Curitiba, Brazil, faces eight serious federal charges, including four counts of extortionate threats involving protected computer information and four counts of threatening communications, according to a recent Department of Justice (DoJ) unsealed indictment.

The cybercrime unfolded in March 2020 when De Oliveira reportedly gained unauthorized access to the computer systems of the Brazilian subsidiary. By exploiting this intrusion, he allegedly obtained confidential customer information related to approximately 300,000 customers.

In September 2020, the defendant escalated his criminal activities by contacting the company's U.S. representatives, including its chief executive officer. He sent an email using an alias, demanding 300 bitcoin (valued at approximately $3.2 million at the time) to prevent the sale of the stolen data.

Following the initial demand, De Oliveira sent follow-up messages to both the CEO and an executive in the Brazilian subsidiary. In one communication, he portrayed himself as being "very interested in helping you guys solve this security flaw" while simultaneously requesting a consulting fee of 75 bitcoin (around $800,000), complete with detailed instructions for transferring funds to a specific Bitcoin wallet.

The potential legal consequences for De Oliveira are significant. Each count of extortionate threats carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a potential fine of $250,000 or twice the value of any gain or loss. Similarly, the threatening communications charges could result in up to 2 years in prison and comparable financial penalties.

This case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminal activities and the increasing willingness of international law enforcement to pursue and prosecute cross-border digital extortion schemes. The indictment underscores the serious legal ramifications for unauthorized computer access and subsequent extortion attempts.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Newark Field Office, with the prosecution being handled by the Cybercrime Unit in Newark. As with all legal proceedings, the charges are accusations, and the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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