The recent discoveries made by on-chain investigator ZachXBT have shed light on the involvement of convicted UK hacker Gurv in the cyber compromises of American actress Sydney Sweeney and ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Bob Odenkirk. These incidents resulted in over $530,000 being stolen through Solana meme coin scams.
On July 2nd, Sydney Sweeney fell prey to a SIM swap attack, which led to a fraudulent meme coin called SWEENEY being promoted from her account. This caused the coin’s value to surge before plummeting. ZachXBT’s investigation revealed that the team wallets associated with the SWEENEY scam cashed out more than $515,000 from the scheme. The hacker behind the attack, believed to be Gurv, exhibited a brazen attitude by boasting about the incident on social media and trying to take credit for other well-known breaches involving celebrities.
Through meticulous timing analysis, ZachXBT managed to trace the funds obtained from the SWEENEY scam to a Solana-based exchange, where they were converted into Bitcoin and Ethereum. Screenshots circulating online showed evidence of Gurv receiving login codes for Sweeney’s account via Telegram following the SIM swap. A receipt from Verizon confirming the SIM swap also surfaced, further linking Gurv to the crime. Gurv’s past criminal record in the UK for hacking Instagram accounts and extortion provided additional context to his involvement in these cyber schemes.
On the same day as the Sydney Sweeney incident, Bob Odenkirk’s account was targeted, with scammy meme coins KIRK and SAUL being promoted. However, the hackers did not manage to profit substantially from this unauthorized access. Interestingly, the funds siphoned from Odenkirk’s account were traced back to the same Ethereum address used in the Sweeney hack. There are indications that the stolen funds were funneled towards crypto casinos and gift card purchases, further indicating the malicious intent of the cybercriminals involved.
As of now, the wallets linked to these nefarious hacks still hold a sizable amount totaling $488,000. The ongoing investigation into Gurv’s activities and his network of accomplices underscores the escalating threat of cybercrime in the digital age. The intricate web of cryptocurrency transactions and cross-platform exploits showcased in these incidents highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and vigilance among high-profile individuals and the general public.
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