SEC Twitter Hack: A Bitcoin Blunder and a Bit of a Bungle!

The Curious Case of the Cryptic Tweet

Ah my dear readers gather 'round for I have a tale that's as tangled as a Niffler's hoard! It appears young Eric Council Jr. a resident of Alabama has found himself in a rather sticky situation. The poor chap has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for his involvement in the January 2024 hack of the Securities and Exchange Commission's X account. You know the one that sent Bitcoin's price soaring faster than a Firebolt on the Quidditch pitch before crashing down again? A rather dramatic entrance wouldn't you agree? As I always say it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. But perhaps Mr. Council got a little too caught up in his Bitcoin dreams.

Confessions and College Dropouts

Council pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. The SEC's X account was used to falsely announce that Bitcoin ETFs had been approved. The audacity! But here's where it gets interesting. After his arrest Council released a video where he blamed the SEC's cybersecurity practices. 'The @SECGov Hack was an inside job,' he claimed adding that the SEC hadn't taken full responsibility for investor losses due to the cybersecurity practices of a lonely 85 year old with dementia. A bit harsh wouldn't you say? He even quipped that the agency was hacked because of a college dropout who 'violently smoked a lot of weed.' It appears Mr. Council has quite the sense of humour although perhaps now is not the time.

The SIM Swap Shenanigans

Council's role in this digital debacle involved a SIM swap attack. He acquired a fake ID conned an AT&T employee into reassigning the victim's phone number and then handed the keys to the kingdom (or in this case the X account) to his co conspirators. As I'm often heard to say it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends. But I think in this case Mr Council had the wrong kind of friends!

A Printer a Laptop and a Whole Lot of Regret

Law enforcement found a fake ID and a portable ID printer in his car. His laptop revealed templates for fake IDs and searches for 'SECGOV hack,' 'telegram sim swap,' and rather amusingly 'how can I know for sure if I am being investigated by the FBI.' One might say he wasn't the most discreet of criminals. After all it is our choices Harry that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.

Justice Prevails Sort Of

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that such schemes threaten the integrity of our market system and the financial security of average citizens. A sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Though I must admit a touch more leniency wouldn't have gone amiss. But as they say alas earwax!

A Final Thought on Foolishness

So there you have it a modern tale of Bitcoin blunders and a bit of a bungle. One can only hope that Mr. Council learns a valuable lesson from this experience. After all it is important to remember that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light and perhaps not hack into government accounts. Good day to you all and remember be ever vigilant and perhaps think twice before involving yourself in SIM swap schemes. For foolishness does abound but hopefully not in such a scandalous manner.