eCrimeBytes.com

eCrimeBytes.com

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  • eCrimeBytes Nibble #5: You Had Me At ”Boo #Boo”
    Full Episode: https://youtu.be/Vri9peHUcuw 

    Ever wonder where stolen identities come from and what happens with them? Stick around to hear how over thirty conspirators stole thousands of identities to make over $9 million dollars of the $22million they tried for.
     
    Welcome to eCrimeBytes Nibble #5!
     
    I had to read this case when the ring leader was named "Boo Boo". William Anthony Gosha III, aka "Boo Boo", was the ring leader of a multi million dollar stolen identity tax refund scheme. With his co-conspirators, Boo Boo filed over 8,800 tax returns claiming over $22m in fraudulent refunds. The IRS paid out approximately $9m.

    Stolen identities came from many sources. Data came from conspirator insiders at:

    - Alabama Dept of Corrections Inmate Info
    - Commercial Companies
    - Alabama Dept of Public Health
    - Alabama Dept of Human Resources
    - Ft Benning Hospital, so data for military personnel, including soldiers deployed to Afghanistan

    Conspirators opened sham tax preparation businesses with IRS EFINs to file returns. They also received blank check stock. When financial institutions stopped the group's ability to print checks, the group bribed several postal employees to intercept fraudulent tax refund checks to various addresses. Mind blowing!

    A mother of a young U.S. Army soldier who was an identity theft victim described the consequences of the fraud on her and her family, stating:

    While [my son] was fighting for our country and all back home, I received a very disturbing phone call from [an] Agent from the IRS that my son, while at Ft. Benning training to defend our country, the land of the free, had his identity stolen and fraudulent tax returns were filed with his social security number. This news was devastating to think that my 19-year-old son, who was defending the very freedom this country stands [for], was wronged by one of those people [he] was willing to die for. My whole family could not believe what was happening. We now had to worry about this terrible act by one of our own. As I tried my best to keep composed and handle all of the gruesome mounds of paperwork to get this straightened out with the IRS, [my son] was then denied his tax refund [as result of this scheme]. This created a financial hardship on [him]. We were too afraid to tell [him] while he was deployed because we did not want to worry him and we wanted him to focus only on getting home alive and not have to worry about such an atrocious act by someone who did not even know [him].

    Boo Boo was sentenced to 30 years while his conspirators were sentenced to a 15 year prison range.

    Further Reading: https://drkeithjones.com/index.php/2023/04/09/anthony-boo-boo-gosha-and-thirty-conspirators-sentenced-for-multi-million-dollar-stolen-identity-tax-refund-fraud-scheme/
    7 min
  • eCrimeBytes Nibble #4: Four For ID Theft In Florida
    Ever wonder what is done with stolen identities? Stick around through this video to hear how four criminals tried to make off with a $2.3m profit from more than 1,600 stolen identities.

    Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmiex9SjEtg

    Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GWNw5rvGgjjV0OaOqcdfQ?sub_confirmation=1

    eCrimeBytes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm

    Welcome to eCrimeBytes Nibble #4!

    Wolf Obin, Stanley Moscova, Rosny Muller and Leonard Obin found themselves in possession of thousands of stolen IDs. In order to monetize the stolen data, the group filed for EFIN numbers using "staw" EFIN holders. EFINs are electronic filing identification numbers from the IRS. EFINs allowed this group to file tax returns in other people's names. In this case, the "other" people were the thousands of victims in the stolen ID data.

    Eventually, law enforcement caught up with this group.

    On Oct 14, 2016 a jury found all three guilty.

    Then on Jan 6, 2017:

    - Wolf Obin was sentenced to 64 months 3 yrs supervised release,
    - Leonard Obin was sentenced to 30 mos, 3 years.
    - Muller was sentenced to 33 months, 3 years supervised release.
    - Moscova was sentenced to 60 months, 3 years supervised release.

    If you enjoyed this eCrimeBytes electronic crime update, you will
    probably enjoy our longer format podcast. I will link the playlist of
    our longer podcast here and at the end of this video. See you on the next one!

    Further Reading: https://drkeithjones.com/index.php/2023/04/08/four-fl-defendants-sentenced-for-identity-theft-and-tax-fraud/

    #ecrimebytes #electronic #truecrime #podcast #humor #funny #comedy #idtheft #irs #taxfraud
    4 min
  • eCrimeBytes Nibble #3: FEMA IT Staff Gone Wild
    Video: https://youtu.be/ex3FdsWuSGU 

    Ever wonder how so many identities are stolen? Stick around for this short video about how one FEMA IT employee breached a medical center's employee database and sold it on the dark web.

    Justin Sean Johnson was arrested for hacking into the human resource databases of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in 2014, stealing personal data on more than 65,000 current and former UPMC employees, and selling the data on the dark web.

    Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh allege that in 2013 and 2014 Johnson hacked into the Oracle PeopleSoft databases for UPMC, a $21 billion nonprofit health enterprise that includes more than 40 hospitals.

    The stolen data also included federal form W-2 data that contained income tax and withholding information, records that prosecutors say Johnson sold on dark web marketplaces to identity thieves engaged in tax refund fraud and other financial crimes. The fraudulent tax refund claims made in the names of UPMC identity theft victims caused the IRS to issue $1.7 million in phony refunds in 2014.

    On May 5, 2021 Johnson plead guilty and on 10/15/21 he was sentenced to 5 years for one count, and 2 for another count, to run consecutively.

    Further reading: https://drkeithjones.com/index.php/2023/04/07/fema-it-staff-arrested-in-id-theft-tax-refund-fraud/
    5 min
  • eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 10, Pt 1: Threesomes And Hitmen!

    We will learn about one Spokane, WA doctor’s desire to hurt those he thought got the best of him.  The doctor’s first victim is a former coworker at the center of an internal investigation ending the doctor’s employment.  The doctor’s second victim was his ex wife, but complications with their shared girlfriend, who was still his current girlfriend, thwarted that plan.  Yes, you heard me right.  You won’t want to miss this one.  Settle in and enjoy another episode of eCrimeBytes.

    Photo Credit: https://www.hackread.com/doctor-bitcoin-dark-web-hitman/

    Do not miss our update about yellow frozen milk!

    Photo Credit: https://goodcheapeats.com/can-you-freeze-milk/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app to be the first to know about next week's episode!
     

    YouTube!

    This episode can be watched as we filmed it here: https://youtu.be/PRNFbZrFUoQ
     
    If you prefer to listen to us on YouTube, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GWNw5rvGgjjV0OaOqcdfQ?sub_confirmation=1 
     
    This is where we will publish our podcast episodes on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm 
     
    PS - Be sure to also check out our new glossary and sign up for our new newsletter!
     
    If you are unable to see the pictures we included above on your phone, please go here to see it instead:  https://ecrimebytes.podbean.com/e/ecrimebytes-s-1-ep-10-pt-1-threesomes-and-hitmen
     

    Sources:

    • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59829129/united-states-v-ilg/ 
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59881363/united-states-v-ilg/ 
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/former-spokane-doctor-sentenced-eight-years-federal-prison-after-paying-dark-web 
  • https://www.hackread.com/doctor-bitcoin-dark-web-hitman/
  • https://www.databreaches.net/doctor-paid-60k-in-bitcoin-to-hire-dark-web-hitmen/
  • Chapters:

    0:00 Intro

    3:19 Music

    3:41 Updates

    5:50 Setting You All Straight About Frozen Yellow Milk!

    7:48 Now On To Our Case

    10:35 Meet Dr. Ron Ilg

    13:24 Know Any Hitmen?

    17:04 I Need Another Hitman!

    19:00 Ron's Wish List

    28:13 Escrow For What?!

    29:30 She Is Strong For A Woman!

    44:37 With The Nanny?!

    47:20 A Coworker's Broken Hands

    54:07 How Much For Teaching Her How To Inject Heroin?

    55:20 The Missing Phone

    56:45 The FBI Interview

    1:03:06 What's On Your Phone Ron?

    1:06:45 Talking To Other Women Does That

    1:08:31 Ron's House Is Searched

    1:09:07 What's In The Safe Ron?

    1:10:10 Oh Ron.

    1:11:50 How To Contact Us

    1 hr 14 min
  • eCrimeBytes Nibble #2: Washington Man Indicted As Serial Swatter
    Welcome to eCrimeBytes Nibble #2!
     
    Video: https://youtu.be/OZg_yRMdkV4 

    Ever heard of swatting? Swatting is the act of calling a false emergency such as an active shooting or hostage situation. The address of the fake emergency is usually a victim's home, school, or work. Swatting is usually used as intimidation. Stick around to hear a case about a 20 year old that swatted over 20 times across the US and Canada.

    A federal indictment claims Ashton Connor Garcia, 20, made more than 20 “swatting” calls to law enforcement between June and September 2022.

    It's alleged that Garcia targeted victims in California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Garcia gathered personal information about his victims and then threatened them with harm, demanded money, sexually explicit materials. Sounds like a real piece of work.

    Garcia used voice-over internet technology to disguise his voice, and used false identities to make fake reports to non-emergency police numbers. He falsely claimed to have placed explosives in particular locations, as well as claim individuals committed crimes such as murder, rape and kidnapping.

    Voice over IP phones are virtual phones on the internet that have a phone number. The can text and
    make voice calls.

    We talked about swatting in eCrimeBytes S 1 Ep 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7!

    eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 1: The Community

    eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 2: Swatting Gets Deadly

    eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 3: Violence As A Service With ”PatTheBat”

    eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 5: PlugwalkJoe

    eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 7: Swatting Payback In Maryland

    You can also look at the swatting category on my blog for more info:

    https://drkeithjones.com/index.php/category/swatting/
    6 min
  • eCrimeBytes Nibble #1: Three FL Officers, Two ID Theft Schemes

    Ever wonder how identities are stolen? Here are two cases that involve three law enforcement officers. The first involves a department of corrections officer that used daily inmate intake lists and sold them to a confidential informant. The second case involved two officers in FL who misused their access to a driver's license database to research real victims to file fraudulent tax returns in their name. The second officer in this scheme has been sentenced to more than 6 years in prison.

    Video: https://youtu.be/hRuarlUp6YY 

    Links to the sources:

    https://drkeithjones.com/index.php/2023/03/31/three-fl-officers-charged-one-sentenced-for-selling-identities-and-tax-fraud/

    eCrimeBytes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm

    Photo Credits:

    https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1955876.html

    https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2013-10-03-fl-id-theft-cop-guilty-brief-20131003-story.html

     

    5 min
  • eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 9: EXCLUSIVE: The Rebate Kingpin Of Rural Michigan

    During the late 80’s to mid 90’s there was a rebate kingpin in full swing right in the middle of Michigan.  From creating fake receipts, to forcing child labor, the kingpin netted thousands of dollars literally only few dollars at a time.  Did the fun end there?  Not at all.  We take a look at some of her other schemes that are just as wild.  Was she eventually caught?  Tune in to find out!  Now sit back and enjoy episode 9 of eCrimeBytes.  

    Be sure to subscribe to eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app to be the first to know about next week's episode!

     

    YouTube!

    This episode can be watched as we filmed it here: https://youtu.be/KBe3txzgfPs
     
    If you prefer to listen to us on YouTube, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GWNw5rvGgjjV0OaOqcdfQ?sub_confirmation=1 
     
    This is where we will publish our podcast episodes on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm 
     
    PS - Be sure to also check out our new glossary and sign up for our new newsletter!
    46 min
  • eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 8: Cyberstalking Behind A Badge In Louisville, KY

    This episode we look at the Louisville, KY police department where an officer's use of a law enforcement only database to stalk his female victims opens up a whole series of departmental investigations that ultimately leads to "Slushygate".  Yeah, we said "Slushygate".  You won't want to miss this!  Sit back and enjoy episode 8 of eCrimeBytes!

    Photo Credit: WAVE

    Be sure to subscribe to eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app to be the first to know about next week's episode!
     

    YouTube!

    This episode can be watched as we filmed it here: https://youtu.be/XDqev__X5uA
     
    If you prefer to listen to us on YouTube, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GWNw5rvGgjjV0OaOqcdfQ?sub_confirmation=1 
     
    This is where we will publish our podcast episodes on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm 
     
    PS - Be sure to also check out our new glossary and sign up for our new newsletter!
     
    If you are unable to see the pictures we included above on your phone, please go here to see it instead:  https://ecrimebytes.podbean.com/e/ecrimebytes-s-1-ep-8-stalking-behind-a-badge-in-louisville-ky
     

    Sources:

    https://www.databreaches.net/feds-ex-louisville-police-officer-used-law-enforcement-tech-to-help-hack-sexually-explicit-photos-from-women/ 

  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/two-former-lmpd-officers-sentenced-today-conspiracy-violate-civil-rights-and-one-also 

  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/two-former-lmpd-officers-plead-guilty-conspiracy-violate-civil-rights-one-also-pleads 

  • https://www.techdirt.com/2022/10/19/louisville-cop-used-law-enforcement-database-to-seek-female-targets-to-hack-for-sexually-explicit-content/ pdf document

  • https://www.leoweekly.com/2022/10/feds-ex-louisville-police-officer-used-law-enforcement-tech-to-help-hack-sexually-explicit-photos-from-women/ 

  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63562426/united-states-v-wilson/ 

  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63562425/united-states-v-wilson/

  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63562427/united-states-v-wilson/

  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63572889/united-states-v-wilson/ 

  • https://www.wdrb.com/news/lmpd-officer-who-resigned-after-lewd-photo-accusations-charged-with-extortion/article_406fbccc-2e92-11eb-8bc7-4795a7107d58.html 

  • https://www.wdrb.com/news/lmpd-detective-under-investigation-for-oral-sex-photo/article_bd7aba38-ec48-11e9-a279-d721185653ac.html 

  • https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/21/ex-louisville-police-federally-convicted-throwing-drinks-people/7693198001/ 

  • https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/current-and-former-louisville-kentucky-police-officers-charged-federal-crimes-related-death 

  • https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/bryan-wilson-curt-flynn-pleaded-guilty-federal-court-slushies-drinks-west-louisville-lmpd/417-7e80efaf-a1e5-41bf-a10d-15e08b540683

  • https://www.wave3.com/2022/06/21/former-lmpd-officers-accused-throwing-drinks-crowds-plead-guilty-federal-court/ 

    Chapters
    0:00 Intro
    4:02 Intro Music
    4:24 Andrea's Yoga Pants
    7:50 Updates
    12:50 Now On To Our Case
    31:27 How Was Bryan Wilson Caught?
    33:19 Slushygate
    38:18 Wilson Is Caught A Third Time
    39:59 Wilson Pleads Guilty
    40:47 Sentencing
    46:00 Conclusion
    49:03 How You Can Reach Us
    49:53 Thank You!
    51:13 Outro Music
    51:35 PatTheBat Outro
    52 min
  • eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 7: Swatting Payback in Maryland

    From 2017 to 2020 a group of attackers took control of several victims’ phones via SIM swapping to steal cryptocurrency and social media accounts.  It looked like they were going to get away with it until a swatting incident over a deal gone bad broke the case wide open.  Sit back and enjoy this week’s episode of eCrimeBytes.

    Photo: K Jones, A SIM Card

    Be sure to subscribe to eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app to be the first to know about next week's episode!
     
    YouTube!
     
    This episode can be watched as we filmed it here: https://youtu.be/8MDbhA5hyxg
     
    If you prefer to listen to us on YouTube, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GWNw5rvGgjjV0OaOqcdfQ?sub_confirmation=1 
     
    This is where we will publish our podcast episodes on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEVgQAFtunsi0B4fG4MOfe0diEVpoMqm 
     
    PS - Be sure to also check out our new glossary and sign up for our new newsletter!
     
    If you are unable to see the picture of the "crusty finger" and SIM card we included above on your phone, please go here to see it instead:  https://ecrimebytes.podbean.com/e/ecrimebytes-s-1-ep-7-swatting-payback-in-maryland
     

    Sources:

    • https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/11/two-charged-in-sim-swapping-vishing-scams/
  • https://krebsonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/KyellBryan.pdf 
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/two-men-facing-federal-indictment-maryland-scheme-steal-digital-currency-and-social-media 
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/defendant-who-stole-more-16000-cryptocurrency-and-orchestrated-swat-attack-his-accomplice 
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/defendant-scheme-steal-digital-currency-and-social-media-accounts-pleads-guilty-and 
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/51765217/parties/united-states-v-milleson/ 
  • Timeline:

    0:00 Intro

    4:10 Case Details

    7:34 Intro Music

    7:56 Light It!

    8:10 Updates

    11:15 Tall Flamingo Strikes Again!

    14:10 A Case Related Question From Andrea

    15:28 Phishing and Vishing

    19:26 The Attacks Begin

    24:00 SIM Swapping

    25:14 A Phishing Domain

    26:23 A Wireless Provider was Hacked

    27:53 Victim 3 Loses Cryptocurrency

    28:31 Victim 4 Loses Instagram Account

    29:19 Attackers Turn On Each Other

    34:10 Jordan Milleson Is Swatted!

    37:00 Law Enforcement Gets Involved

    42:33 CoConspirator Kyell Bryan

    44:58 Andrea Makes Her Return

    47:13 Jordan Milleson Pleads Guilty

    52:40 Kyell Bryan Pleads Guilty

    54:09 Which Mobile Providers Were Hacked?

    55:38 Conclusion

    58:57 How To Reach Us

    1 hr 3 min
  • eCrimeBytes S 1, Ep 6: An ID Theft Gang In Florida

    Ya wanna make some money?

    - Latonia Verdell to Starling Willis

    ... isn't this how every great criminal business enterprise starts out?

    It's the ladies' episode!  This week we look at an identity theft crime spree involving three Florida ladies who authorities say made thousands of dollars filing fraudulent tax returns online.  Sit back and enjoy episode 6 of eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app.

    Be sure to subscribe to eCrimeBytes on your favorite podcasting app to be the first to know about next week's episode!
     
    PS - Be sure to also check out our new glossary and sign up for our new newsletter!
     

    Photo: Defendant Verdell, Palm Beach Post

    Photo Credit: Defendant Willis, Palm Beach Post

    If you cannot see the photos, please view this on the full website: https://ecrimebytes.podbean.com/e/ecrimebytes-s-1-ep-6-an-id-theft-gang-in-florida

    Sources:

    • https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/three-palm-beach-county-residents-plead-guilty-their-participation-stolen-identity-tax 
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/two-palm-beach-county-residents-sentenced-their-participation-stolen-identity-tax-fraud
  • https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/palm-beach-county-resident-sentenced-her-participation-stolen-identity-tax-fraud-scheme 
  • https://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?n=14-CR-80158,15-CR-80119&s=FL&d=83790
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7143014/united-states-v-verdell/
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/50573012/united-states-v-verdell/
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16099094/united-states-v-willis/
  • https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/50999180/united-states-v-willis/
  • https://www.databreaches.net/fl-woman-sentenced-for-role-in-tax-refund-fraud-scheme-involving-at-least-790-stolen-identities/
  • https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2016/01/29/two-women-get-prison-terms/7215863007/
  • 50 min

About eCrimeBytes.com

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Researching the court documentation and roasting the criminals, so you don’t have to!