Cyber Risks · Krebs on Security

Alleged SIM Swapper Arrested in California

Summary: Santa Clara County's REACT task force arrested 19-year-old Xzavyer Clemente Narvaez on Aug. 17, 2018, charging him with SIM swapping to steal more than $1 million in virtual currencies, which prosecutors say he used to buy a $200,000 McLaren and a 2012 Audi R8 paid for in bitcoin. Investigators tied him to the hijackings through a reused phone IMEI ending in 3218, AT&T and Verizon cell-tower records placing that device near his Tracy, Calif. home, and blockchain tracing of bitcoin from his Bittrex account to the car purchase.

What you should know: One AT&T investigator reported roughly 28 SIM swaps run through a single employee ID over about two weeks in November 2017, which is the insider access that defeats the PIN protections carriers offer customers.

Read the original at Krebs on Security ↗

Topics
Cybercrime & Law Enforcement
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