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Cybercrime

Manassas Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT RELEASE HIM' Manassas Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT RELEASE HIM'
Manassas Child Predator Accused Of Trading Robux For Porn, Feds Warn: ‘DO NOT Release HIM' A disturbing child predator case in Virginia is now drawing national attention — with federal officials issuing a blunt warning: do not release Angel David Rubio Marin. The 20-year-old Manassas man is being held after allegedly offering young children money — including Roblox’s in-game currency “Robux” — in exchange for sexually explicit videos, according to investigators. Now, the US Department of Homeland Security says it has lodged an immigration detainer and is urging officials not to let him walk free. “VIRGINIA, DO NOT RELEASE THIS CRIMINAL,” DHS said in a public statement Tuesday. …
Former Corrections Sergeant From Valley Cottage Caught With Child Exploitation Images Gets Jail Former Corrections Sergeant From Valley Cottage Caught With Child Exploitation Images Gets Jail
Former Corrections Sergeant From Valley Cottage Caught With Child Exploitation Images Gets Jail A former Rockland County corrections officer will spend years in state prison after admitting to uploading and storing dozens of files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, prosecutors announced. Valley Cottage resident Daniel Dworkin, 45, a former sergeant with the Rockland County Jail, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Dworkin previously pleaded guilty to the full indictment, which included 64 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and 64 counts of possessing a sexual per…
Schenectady Man Caught With Child Sexual Exploitation After Cyber Tip: Police Schenectady Man Caught With Child Sexual Exploitation After Cyber Tip: Police
Schenectady Man Caught With Child Sexual Exploitation After Cyber Tip: Police A 34-year-old man was arrested in Schenectady County after a cybertip led to the discovery of child sexual exploitation material in his home, police announced.  The arrest happened Friday, Sept. 19, when investigators executed a search warrant at the home of Boodhram Seeraj of Schenectady, New York State Police said on Monday, Sept. 22. Police said the case began with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. According to police, Seeraj is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. He was charged with felon…
Peekskill Hacker, 22, Ran Massive Cybercrime Forum, Hoarded Child Abuse Files: Here's His Fate Peekskill Hacker, 22, Ran Massive Cybercrime Forum, Hoarded Child Abuse Files: Here's His Fate
Peekskill Hacker, 22, Ran Massive Cybercrime Forum, Hoarded Child Abuse Files: Here's His Fate A Westchester County man has been resentenced to federal prison for running one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for stolen data and for possessing child sexual abuse material, prosecutors announced.  Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, 22, of Peekskill, received a three-year prison sentence on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the US Department of Justice announced.  Prosecutors said Fitzpatrick admitted to creating and operating BreachForums, an English-language hacking site launched in March 2022 that quickly grew to more than 330,000 members. According to federal officials, it became a go-to…
‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About ‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About
‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About What starts as a teen romance turns into a cyber nightmare in Netflix’s new true-crime documentary "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" — and the final twist is jaw-dropping. Directed by Skye Borgman and released last week, the film explores the chilling real-life case of 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen, from Beal City, MI.  In October 2020 Lauryn and Owen began receiving bizarre texts from an unknown number. After a pause, the messages resumed in September 2021 — and this time, they didn’t stop. For the next 15 months, Lauryn was bombarded daily with …
Point Pleasant Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online Point Pleasant Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online
Point Pleasant Foster Dad Hid Cameras In Children's Bedroom, Uploaded Nude Images Online A 42-year-old Point Pleasant Borough foster parent was arrested and charged after he uploaded nude images of his foster children to the internet, authorities announced Friday, Aug, 29 An investigation into John Olson began following a cybertip that he was uploading child pornography via the Kik app, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.  On Friday, Aug. 22, detectives and a SWAT team searched Olson's home and seized his electronic devices, Billhimer said. Law enforcement discovered Olson had placed cameras in his children's bedrooms, Billhimer said. A cell phone belonging to…
Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate
Virginia ‘Reaper’ Who Made Teen Girl Carve His Name Into Her Leg Learns Prison Fate A 26-year-old Virginia man who was the leader in an online group that cyber stalked and terrorized young girls online will spend years in federal prison, authorities announced. Evan Strauss, of Moneta, who goes by the monikers "Reaper" and Kobe Deonsons" was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 1 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to stalking and child pornography offenses last year. The charges stem from a toxic relationship he formed online with a 17-year-old girl from Wyoming, whom he harassed and controlled for months.  The minor—identified in court documents only as Minor A—was t…
$3M In Gold Bars Stolen By Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, Lehigh County DA Says $3M In Gold Bars Stolen By Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, Lehigh County DA Says
$3M In Gold Bars Stolen By Man, $18K Used To Buy Porn, Lehigh County DA Says A Pennsylvania man is accused of scamming an elderly woman into believing $18,000 from her bank account was used to purchase pornography, then stealing more than $3 million in gold bars, authorities announced on Monday, July 28. Dharmikkumar Sutariya, 25, of Scranton, is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly posing as a “courier” to defraud a 68-year-old Upper Milford Township woman, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said in a release. Sutariya has been charged with two counts of Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking – Movable Property, Felony Receiving Stolen Property, Fe…
$70K Scheme: 2 Scammers Arrested After Posing As Police In Yonkers Over Phone, Cops Say $70K Scheme: 2 Scammers Arrested After Posing As Police In Yonkers Over Phone, Cops Say
$70K Scheme: 2 Scammers Arrested After Posing As Police In Yonkers Over Phone, Cops Say Two suspects are facing charges after allegedly scamming a Westchester resident out of nearly $70,000 by posing as law enforcement officers in a sophisticated phone fraud scheme, police announced.  Queens residents Hongdong Liu, 30, and Pinting Lu, 28, were both arrested after allegedly calling a victim while pretending to be a Yonkers Police lieutenant.  The duo reportedly claimed the victim’s home computer had been involved in criminal activity—specifically child pornography—and demanded money to resolve the fabricated issue, Yonkers Police announced on Saturday, J…
Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In Bensalem: Police Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In Bensalem: Police
Child Porn Trader Caught With Disturbing Images Of Kids As Young As 4 In Bensalem: Police A Bensalem man is accused of operating social media accounts used to trade disturbing child porn images involving children as young as 4, police announced on Tuesday, July 16. John Breslin, 42, was arrested following a months-long investigation by the Bensalem Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division that began in late June. According to the department, investigators were tipped off by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which flagged multiple accounts for sharing child sexual abuse materials. Among the dozens of files shared or received were graphic…
Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG
Philly Man Secretly Sent Himself Nude Pics From Victims’ Phones, Posted Them Online: AG A Philadelphia man is accused of secretly stealing nude photos from five victims’ phones and posting them online, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday, July 8. Tyler J. Jones, 33, was charged with Felony Unlawful Use of a Computer, Felony Unlawful Duplication, Misdemeanor Invasion of Privacy, and Misdemeanor Unlawful Dissemination, according to the attorney general. His preliminary arraignment was held early Tuesday morning. His bail was set at $350,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victims, according to court records. Jones accessed the victims’ nude photos …
Warminster Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, Bucks DA Alleges Warminster Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, Bucks DA Alleges
Warminster Man Steals Girl's Underwear, Makes AI Child Porn, Bucks DA Alleges He created child sex abuse images using artificial intelligence and broke into a home to steal a girl's underwear, Bucks County authorities said on Thursday, July 3. Christopher L. O'Neill, 46, of Warminster, is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly saving, uploading, and sharing hundreds of child pornography files, including AI-generated images, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives said they uncovered 694 images and videos from O’Neill’s Google Photos account and two AI-generated images from PicsArt. The investigation began on June 10 after the Natio…
Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns
Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns A cybercriminal group known for extorting people and companies across the world is now targeting the airline industry. The FBI has issued a warning about Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has  expanded its operations to include major US airlines and their vendors.  The group is known for using convincing impersonation tactics to access corporate networks, often bypassing multi-factor authentication by tricking IT staff into adding unauthorized devices. Scattered Spider impersonates employees or contractors to deceive help desks. "These techniques frequently involve methods …
Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info
Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info Aflac has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that may have compromised sensitive customer information. The company is the latest target in a string of attacks on major insurance providers. The company said the intrusion was first detected on Thursday, June 12, prompting an immediate internal response.  While systems remained operational and no ransomware was involved, investigators say the breach was part of a broader cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry. Aflac said the attacker used social engineering tactics to infiltrate its US network. A review of impacted files is sti…
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know There’s a scam targeting drivers through text messages pretending to be from the DMV. Cybercriminals who once claimed victims owed unpaid tolls are now pivoting to a new phishing attack, according to authorities. If you’ve received a text message warning that your driver’s license is about to be suspended due to unpaid tickets, stop and think before you click. It might be a scam. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are alerting the public about a new wave of phishing scams — specifically “smishing,” or fraudulent text messages — that claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
Riverhead Teacher, Coach Lured Underage Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says Riverhead Teacher, Coach Lured Underage Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says
Riverhead Teacher, Coach Lured Underage Girls On Snapchat, Shared Child Porn, DA Says Charging documents reveal chilling new details in the case of a former Long Island teacher accused of soliciting nude photos from underage girls. Ryan McCaffery, 37, of Ridge, was indicted for promoting a sexual performance by a child and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, June 4. A New York State Police investigation found that McCaffery – a former Riverhead High School teacher and coach – posed as a teenage boy in order to chat with numerous underage girls on Snapchat, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. He sent images of his exposed genitals and requested nu…
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ A doctor at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center is facing federal charges after investigators say they found child sexual abuse material on his personal devices, including a phone inside his VA office, authorities said.  Dr. Sven Knudsen Ljaamo, 70, has been indicted on two federal charges: one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Authorities say they were tipped off when over 100 files of suspected child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Ljaamo’s Google account. During questio…
Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says
Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says Most online users say they're worried about data breaches, but still skip basic ways to improve their cybersecurity, according to a new survey. The Acronis Data Privacy in 2025 Survey polled nearly 2,500 adults in the US and seven other countries, finding that many aren't doing enough to protect their personal data. The Swiss tech company found that while 64% of respondents listed data breaches as their top online privacy concern, only one-third back up their data daily or weekly. Fewer than half (46%) said they use security features like two-factor authentication. "Perhaps …
Detectives Seek Victims After Frederick Sex Offender Charged With Dozens Of Child Porn Offenses Detectives Seek Victims After Frederick Sex Offender Charged With Dozens Of Child Porn Offenses
Detectives Seek Victims After Frederick Sex Offender Charged With Dozens Of Child Porn Offenses A convicted sex offender in Maryland is back behind bars — this time after investigators say they found dozens of child porn files in his social media accounts. Andrew Brock, 25, of Middletown, was arrested on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, following an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation launched by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, officials announced Thursday morning. Brock, already a registered sex offender, is facing 73 total charges after investigators say they uncovered new evidence linking him to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The i…
Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know
Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know A global cybercrime tool used to steal passwords and drain bank accounts was shut down in a major takedown led by Microsoft and federal authorities. The tool called Lumma Stealer had infected more than 394,000 Windows computers worldwide between March and May, Microsoft said in a blog post on Wednesday, May 21. Hackers used the malware to target schools, hospitals, banks, and gaming communities, often holding victims for ransom or committing financial fraud. A federal court order allowed Microsoft's digital crimes unit to seize more than 2,300 web domains that powered the malware's ope…
Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say
Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say A "depraved and dangerous predator" in Maryland who preyed on more than 100 young girls across the globe is facing decades in prison, federal authorities announced on Wednesday.  Silver Spring resident Chase William Mulligan pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child sexual abuse material after targeting minors on social media and "sextorted them."  Specifically, through the scheme, prosecutors say that Mulligan coerced at least 108 girls — ranging from ages 5-17 — to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves.  When the girls told him they no longe…
Gloucester Cop Used Dark Web To Download Child Porn: Feds Gloucester Cop Used Dark Web To Download Child Porn: Feds
Gloucester Cop Used Dark Web To Download Child Porn: Feds A Gloucester police officer sworn to protect the public is now accused of exploiting its most vulnerable, with federal prosecutors alleging he used the dark web to access child sexual abuse images. Alexander Aiello, 34, of Gloucester, has been charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, according to the US Attorney for Massachusetts. Federal officials say he was identified as a registered user of a website that shared illegal content involving children. Aiello was arrested on Friday, May 9, after an FBI investigation that included a search of his home last month. Autho…
Liberty Math Teacher Busted With Child Porn Following Cybertip, Police Say (UPDATE) Liberty Math Teacher Busted With Child Porn Following Cybertip, Police Say (UPDATE)
Liberty Math Teacher Busted With Child Porn Following Cybertip, Police Say (Update) Police identified a Hudson Valley teacher who was arrested on charges related to child pornography. Sullivan County resident Christopher Dedonato, 26, of Liberty, was taken into custody Monday, May 5, following an investigation by New York State Police. Dedonato has worked as a math teacher at Liberty High School since 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he worked as a substitute teacher for both the Liberty Central and Beacon City school districts. New York State Police opened an investigation after receiving a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploit…
Bayonne Teen Posed As Girl, Blackmailed Kids To Send Him Porn: Feds Bayonne Teen Posed As Girl, Blackmailed Kids To Send Him Porn: Feds
Bayonne Teen Posed As Girl, Blackmailed Kids To Send Him Porn: Feds A 19-year-old Bayonne resident was arrested and charged on Tuesday, April 22 with inducing children to send him sexually explicit images, authorities said. In October and November 2023, Julian Nova coerced multiple minors to produce child pornography, which he then distributed online, US Attorney Alina Habba said. Nova would pose as a teenage girl and get the victims to send him sexually explicit images, Habba said. Nova then blackmailed the victims into producing additional sexually explicit images, some of which included acts of self-degradation by threatening to distribute the images and…
6 Caught In Undercover Child Exploitation Sting In Rockland County, Police Say 6 Caught In Undercover Child Exploitation Sting In Rockland County, Police Say
6 Caught In Undercover Child Exploitation Sting In Rockland County, Police Say An undercover child exploitation investigation led to the arrests of six men from across the Hudson Valley and New Jersey, authorities announced.  The multi-day operation, which was led by the New York State Police in partnership with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Ramapo Police Department, targeted suspects allegedly involved in online exploitation and trafficking of minors, State Police announced on Wednesday, April 9.  Investigators said they used advanced cyber tactics to pose as minors on internet platforms commonly used for grooming and exploitation. Th…
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime Gov. Phil Murphy signed into legislation this week a new law that establishes criminal and civil penalties for producing and distributing deceptive audio or visual media, a.k.a. deepfakes. A3540/S2544, which had bipartisan support, makes it a crime in the third degree for anyone who produces deepfake audio or video media for an unlawful purpose or shares deepfakes created for an unlawful purpose. The creator or distributor could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $30,000 if convicted. Francesca Mori, a student at Westfield High School, has become a staunch advocate for legislati…
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says The FBI has issued a warning about cybercriminals exploiting victims to distribute malware and steal personal information. ​ Fraudulent free online file converter tools offer services like converting or merging files—such as transforming a .doc file to a .pdf or combining multiple images into a single document. While they perform the advertised tasks, they may also install hidden malware on users' computers.  This malware can grant criminals access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, banking details, cryptocurrency information, email addresses, and passwords.  …
Hatboro Police Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn Distribution, Fired Hatboro Police Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn Distribution, Fired
Hatboro Police Employee Arrested By Homeland Security For Child Porn Distribution, Fired A Hatboro Police Department employee and marching band instructor at Upper Moreland School District has been arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for distributing child pornography and has since been fired, officials said. Douglas Penglase, 37, of Hatboro, was charged with distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Federal Investigation Uncovers Hundreds of Exploitative Files The investigation began in May 2024, when Kik reported child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to the Nation…
Naugatuck Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charge, Faces Decade In Prison: DOJ Naugatuck Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charge, Faces Decade In Prison: DOJ
Naugatuck Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charge, Faces Decade In Prison: DOJ A registered sex offender in Connecticut admitted to child porn charges this week and faces potentially decades in prison, federal authorities announced.  Travis Tilley, 41, of Naugatuck, pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material on Thursday, March 6, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  He was convicted of similar charges in 2019 in state court and released in 2022, records show.  Tilley was serving 15 years probation, and during an unannounced visit to his home, his probation officer seized his laptop and found more of the offending material, the federal…
Mount Laurel Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor Mount Laurel Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor
Mount Laurel Cop Hacked Women's Social Media Accounts, Shared Nude Photos: Prosecutor A 25-year-old Mount Laurel police officer pleaded guilty to hacking multiple women's social media accounts and distributing their nude photos, authorities said. Ayron Taylor, a Moorestown resident faces 12 years in prison when he is sentenced in September, per the terms of a plea agreement, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said. A woman contacted Evesham Township police in September 2022, to report her Snapchat and Facebook accounts had been hacked by an unknown person, Bradshaw said. The person then sent nude photos she had taken of herself to her Snapchat contacts, m…
Registered Sex Offender In Reading Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook:DA Registered Sex Offender In Reading Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook:DA
Registered Sex Offender In Reading Caught Sharing Child Porn On Facebook:DA A convicted sex offender in Berks County was busted with hundreds of child pornography files, including images and videos he shared on Facebook, authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 27. Daniel R. Kromer, 60, of Reading, was already a lifetime registered sex offender in Pennsylvania when investigators uncovered his online activity, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office said. Kromer’s criminal history includes convictions for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, both in December 1999. The charges stemmed from incidents on January 1, 1994, and April 15, 1999, r…