Pennsylvania Man Admits Hacking for Private Photos

SIDDARDA GOWTHAM JAGABATHINA
2 min readSep 21, 2023

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Hey MCK’s, In a recent turn of events, Brandon B. Boyer, a 34-year-old from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a hacking charge involving the unauthorized access of protected computers. This case exposes a troubling two-year spree where dozens of adult women were targeted. Boyer confessed to some pretty disturbing actions. Between February 2020 and February 2022, he illegally broke into the computers of many adult women with the aim of getting explicit photos to sell for a profit. What’s worse, he admitted to getting into victims’ Snapchat accounts at the request of paying “clients” who wanted to compromise these accounts for their own gain. Now, how did Boyer pull this off? He used an app that let him pretend to be a Snapchat representative and trick victims into changing their passwords and sending them verification codes. With that info, he could waltz into their accounts.

The money side of things isn’t pretty either, with estimated losses somewhere between $40,000 and $95,000. The FBI’s Philadelphia Division did a thorough investigation, and U.S. Attorney Jeffery St. John is prosecuting the case. Under federal law, Boyer could face up to five years in prison, supervised release after that, and a fine. The judge will make the final call on sentencing, considering the law and guidelines.

This case serves as a stark reminder that it’s crucial for everyone, especially young women, to take their online privacy and security seriously. In a world where our digital lives are increasingly interconnected, being cautious and vigilant can go a long way in safeguarding our personal information from those with ill intentions. So, girls, remember to be proactive about your online security, use strong passwords, and stay alert to potential phishing attempts. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in keeping your personal information safe from prying eyes.

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SIDDARDA GOWTHAM JAGABATHINA
SIDDARDA GOWTHAM JAGABATHINA

Written by SIDDARDA GOWTHAM JAGABATHINA

Passionate about cybersecurity and eager to share the knowledge I have gained and continue to acquire to educate the world.

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