SIM-Swap Shenanigans: Alabama Man’s SEC Hoax Lands Him 14 Months in the Slammer
Eric Council Jr. didn’t just SIM-swap his way into the SEC’s X account and fake a Bitcoin ETF announcement; he also Googled “SECGOV hack” on his personal computer. Spoiler alert: Not the best way to avoid FBI attention. Now, he’s sentenced to 14 months in prison for this less-than-masterful cyber escapade.
Hot Take:
Ah, the classic tale of a cybercriminal who couldn’t resist Googling his own demise. Eric Council Jr. might have thought he was a crypto mastermind, but turns out he was more of a digital dunce. With a search history that reads like a ‘how not to get away with a crime’ manual, it’s a wonder he didn’t search “how to hack my way into prison” before pulling off this heist. But hey, at least he got a brief taste of fame by making Bitcoin dance to his tune, even if it was short-lived. Now he’s got 14 months to perfect his hacking skills… or maybe just work on his resume.
Key Points:
- Eric Council Jr., 26, sentenced to 14 months in prison for SIM-swapping the SEC’s X account.
- He used incriminating Google searches like “SECGOV hack” and “FBI investigation tips”.
- The fake ETF announcement briefly caused Bitcoin to spike over $1,000.
- Council and his accomplice accessed the account with a SIM swap scam.
- Authorities quickly regained control, leading to a $2,000 drop in Bitcoin’s value.