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Hacker Ordered to Repay $5.4 Million in Bitcoin Scam

11/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Joseph James O'Connor, a British hacker, was ordered to repay £4.1 million ($5.4 million) for a Bitcoin scam that hijacked celebrity Twitter accounts.
He was sentenced to five years in the United States for cyber crimes after a 2021 arrest in Spain.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) secured a civil recovery order to seize 42 Bitcoin and assets tied to the scam, which targeted Barack Obama and Elon Musk.

History

Historical Context

The 2021 Twitter hack compromised high-profile accounts, including Barack Obama and Elon Musk, resulting in over $120,000 in Bitcoin scams. This incident follows a history of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, highlighted by previous breaches like the 2015 Hacking Team hack. Joseph James O'Connor's sentencing emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect individuals and organizations from ongoing cyber threats.

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Story summary

Joseph James O'Connor, a British hacker, was ordered to repay £4.1 million ($5.4 million) for a Bitcoin scam that hijacked celebrity Twitter accounts.
He was sentenced to five years in the United States for cyber crimes after a 2021 arrest in Spain.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) secured a civil recovery order to seize 42 Bitcoin and assets tied to the scam, which targeted Barack Obama and Elon Musk.

1 / 2