London teenager orchestrated ‘help desk’ extortion scheme against 47 U.S. companies that netted $115 million, says DOJ

FortuneSaturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:27:00 AM
London teenager orchestrated ‘help desk’ extortion scheme against 47 U.S. companies that netted $115 million, says DOJ
A 19-year-old from London is in serious trouble, facing up to 95 years in prison for allegedly running a massive extortion scheme that targeted 47 U.S. companies. By posing as a legitimate caller to help desks, he convinced employees to reset passwords, leading to a staggering $115 million in losses. This case highlights the vulnerabilities in corporate security and the lengths to which cybercriminals will go to exploit them, raising concerns about the safety of sensitive information in the digital age.
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