Facing 165 years in prison for illegally unlocking the phone

Tram Ho

US citizen Argishti Khudaverdyan, the former owner of a T-Mobile store, has been accused of stealing login information and then using them to unlock (unlock) hundreds of thousands of smartphones. This offense took place from August 2014 to June 2019 and brought Khudaverdyan $25 million.

Đối mặt 165 năm tù vì tội mở khóa điện thoại trái phép - Ảnh 1.

In some countries, mobile device manufacturers will partner with carriers to sell network lock devices. Depending on the contract type, the device will be locked to a particular carrier for life or for a certain period of time. Network lock devices are often sold at a cheaper price or in installments…

Therefore, if the device is unlocked early, users can resell it at a higher price or switch to another carrier if they like.

Taking advantage of this, Khudaverdyan and his associates provided unauthorized phone unlocking services of many different carriers. Over the years, Khudaverdyan used a variety of tricks to steal the credentials of T-Mobile employees and then use them to unlock phones.

Khudaverdyan co-owned a T-Mobile store called Top Tier Solutions for several months in 2017. The carrier later canceled the store’s contract due to suspicious behavior. Another co-owner, Alen Gharehbagloo, is also accused of fraud and unauthorized access to computer systems. Gharehbagloo has now pleaded guilty.

For years, Khudaverdyan advertised his unlocking service via email. through various brokers and websites. He confirmed to the customer that this was the official unlocking program from T-Mobile.

The indictment said Khudaverdyan and Gharehbagloo used illicit profits to shop and spend. The two subjects own properties in California, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch worth $32,000 and a Land Rover car.

In addition, Khudaverdyan and Gharehbagloo rented a Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG and a Ferrari 458. Among the seized property was an expensive Rolex Sky-Dweller watch.

On his charges, Khudaverdyan faces at least two years in prison for identity theft and up to 165 years in prison for charges related to electronic fraud, money laundering and unauthorized computer access. . Khudaverdyan’s trial will take place in October.

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Source : Genk