Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Jirapong Manustrong / Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:Jirapong Manustrong / Getty Images
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
A screenshot of the fake SEC post published by hackers who took over control of the @SECGov X account on January 9, 2024.
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
privateness
Robotics
certificate
societal
infinite
Startups
TikTok
transport
Venture
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
newssheet
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
touch Us
Union authority announced Thursday the collar of a man in Alabama , impeach him of participating in the hack of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ’s X account earlier this class .
Eric Council Jr. was indicted in connexion withthe SEC X account taxi , which take place on January 9 , when the story release a post falsely announcing that the Commission had approved Bitcoin ETFs to be listed in certificate exchanges in the country , a place that increased the cost of Bitcoin by $ 1,000,according to a press releaseby the U.S. Attorney ’s Office in the District of Columbia .
On January 9 , a atomic number 27 - conspirator sent Council instructions on how to SIM swap the phone of the mortal with access to the SEC business relationship on X , as well as the personally identifying information of the person . Council then locomote to an AT&T store with a fake identity card for C.L. that he himself design and print , and claimed to be an FBI agent who had broken his earpiece and needed a new SIM wag .
Council bought a new iPhone to perform the SIM swap , then used the phone to receive a reset code for the @SECGov chronicle on X , and sent this code to a co - coconspirator who hacked into the @SECGov account and carry the false post in doubtfulness , the indictment claims . At that point , Council returned the iPhone for immediate payment in Birmingham , Alabama , the bill of indictment allege .
Prosecutors wrote in the indictment that Council performed several Google lookup , such as : “ SECGOV hack , ” “ telegram sim barter , ” “ how can I know for sure if I am being investigate by the FBI , ” and “ What are the signs that you are under probe by jurisprudence enforcement or the FBI even if you have not been contacted by them , ” and “ what are some signs that the FBI is after you . ”
Council was charge with conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access equipment humbug .
