Bitcoin: Suspected hacker googled: “Signs the FBI is after you”

The SEC has confirmed that her account was compromised through a sim swap attack.

This is the case where someone fraudulently tricks a mobile phone provider into transferring an existing phone number to a new SIM card.

In this case, the alleged perpetrator is accused of creating a fake ID using the data of an SEC employee passed on to him by co-conspirators.

He is then said to have used this data to have the employee’s cell phone number transferred to a new SIM.

Co-conspirators allegedly used access codes sent to the phone to log into the SEC’s X account.

This was made easier because the account was not adequately protected.

SEC staff had asked X in July 2023 to suspend multi-factor authentication (MFA), a security measure used to verify the person logging in.

Subsequently, MFA was reactivated after the hack.

Eric Council Jr. is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.

If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison.