A federal grand jury has indicted a man from Oregon, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
This indictment alleges that he stole and resold login information for various streaming platforms.
Samuel Joyner faces charges of conspiracy to commit computer and access device fraud. The Department of Justice shared this in a news release, which outlines multiple charges against him.
It is alleged that Joyner and Evan McMahon, based in Australia, set up a website called AccountBot. This website was a hub for stolen streaming service logins.
AccountBot allegedly boasted over 52,000 users. It offered a vast library of login credentials, with more than 217,000 usernames and passwords.
The site operators reportedly employed hacking methods to secure usernames and passwords. They targeted a multitude of streaming services.
Among the targeted platforms were several well-known names. These included Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Spotify Premium.
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Hulu
- HBO Max
- Spotify Premium
- and more
Their methods frequently involved sourcing login details from past data breaches. These credentials were then resold to those who subscribed to their website.
AccountBot offered a flexible pricing structure. The cost ranged from $1.79 to $24.99, depending on factors such as the specific streaming service and the intended duration of access.
To maintain user anonymity, payments could be made using traditional currency or Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency option added an extra layer of privacy.
Joanna Kondos, a cybercrime specialist with the Australian Police, offered insight into the arrest.
Information from their FBI partners led to action by the Australian Federal Police. They made an arrest, filed charges, and secured a conviction against a Sydney man.
They also seized cryptocurrency assets exceeding $1 million, representing proceeds from this criminal activity.
Following a referral of information from our FBI law enforcement partners, the Australian Federal Police arrested, charged and secured a conviction against a Sydney man, and we also seized more than a million dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency assets which were the proceeds of his crime
The investigation into AccountBot started in Omaha, Nebraska. It eventually expanded its scope to Oregon and internationally to Australia.
Joyner has entered a plea of not guilty to a series of charges. His trial is scheduled to commence on July 13, 2021.
McMahon also faced legal proceedings in Sydney, Australia, in April of this year, resulting in a prison sentence of two years and two months.
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For the full details, you can refer to the official release from the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Oregon. It’s available below: