The UK has taken a significant step in addressing cybercrime as Joseph James O”Connor, a key player in the infamous 2020 Twitter hack, has been ordered to repay £4.1 million (approximately $5.4 million) in Bitcoin. This ruling was announced by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Monday and pertains to the scandal that involved the hijacking of prominent Twitter accounts, including those of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
The CPS has successfully secured a civil recovery order, which allows for the seizure of 42 BTC and other cryptocurrency assets tied to O”Connor”s illicit activities. These assets were frozen during the extradition process, and a court-appointed trustee will now oversee their liquidation. This move underscores authorities” commitment to ensuring that individuals involved in high-profile cybercrimes do not profit from their actions.
O”Connor, now 26, was previously sentenced to five years in prison in the United States after he pled guilty to various charges, including computer intrusion, wire fraud, and extortion. His prosecution stemmed from the July 2020 cyberattack that compromised some of the most influential Twitter accounts globally. The attackers utilized these accounts to solicit cryptocurrency and make threats against public figures.
In 2021, O”Connor was apprehended in Spain when the country”s High Court ruled that the U.S. was the appropriate jurisdiction for his trial, given the location of the majority of evidence and victims. Following his extradition, he faced legal proceedings in the U.S. and ultimately received his sentence in 2023.
Prosecutor Adrian Foster highlighted that UK authorities are prepared to act decisively, even when such convictions occur in foreign jurisdictions. He stated, “We were able to use the full force of the law to ensure that criminals cannot benefit from their criminal activities.” This statement reflects the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to combat cybercrime, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency.
The 2020 Twitter breach remains one of the most notorious security incidents in the history of the social media platform, forcing it to temporarily restrict verified accounts and exposing significant vulnerabilities within its internal systems. With the recent recovery order, UK authorities have taken another substantial step towards holding O”Connor accountable for one of the most visible cybercrimes of the past decade.
