Teen hackers and accomplices allegedly stole $ 24 million in cryptocurrencies

A 15-year-old hacker and his accomplices – who called themselves ” evil computer geniuses ” – stole nearly $ 24 million in cryptocurrencies from a consultant for blockchain companies.

Michael Terpin claimed his phone was hacked and the money was stolen in 2018 by a group of hackers led by Ellis Pinksy from Westchester County, New York. The case is part of a ” sophisticated cybercrime series ” carried out by the group. Terpin, the founder and CEO of blockchain consulting firm Transform Group, is currently suing Pinsky, now 18, to claim $ 71 million in federal law.

” Pinsky and his accomplices are truly evil computer geniuses with heartless nature ready to ruin the lives of innocent victims and rejoice in their multi-million dollar missions. “- Terpin said in an application to federal court in Manhattan.

Right now, no one has been in contact with Pinsky, who lives in Irvington, New York. The lawyer who previously represented him, John Siffert, did not respond to emails and phone messages.

According to Terpin, Pinsky’s team often identifies those who hold large amounts of cryptocurrency and takes control of their phones by bribing or seducing employees to work for the wireless network operator they are using. use. The hacker group will then be able to interfere with the authentication messages, capture information and drain the victims’ crypto accounts.

Michael Terpin

Sleeping on mountains of money

Pinsky exploded with his friends that when he was 13, he stole over $ 100 million in crypto, hundreds of thousands of which were converted into cash stored in his bedroom – according to the lawsuit. Terpin also asserted that, after confronting directly with Pinsky about his role in the burglary, Pinsky returned him cryptocurrency, cash, and a watch worth $ 2 million. Terpin claims this is a acknowledgment from Pinsky himself that he actually stole his money.

Terpin said Pinsky was aided by Nicholas Truglia, who was charged with involvement in Terpin’s case in New York last December and faced many unrelated crimes in California. In both cases, Truglia declared herself not guilty. Terpin was won by the California state court in the case with Truglia and received $ 75.8 million in compensation. Truglia’s lawyer currently declined to comment.

Terpin sued AT&T in 2018 on the grounds that the wireless carrier’s poor security system allowed Pinsky’s team to take control of his phone. However, the company has denied any allegations.

Pierce O’Donnel, Terpin’s lawyer, said that federal prosecutors in Manhattan had listened to their allegations against Pinsky. James Margolin, a Manhattan lawyer spokesman Geoffrey Berman, declined to comment.

Reference: Bloomberg