SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the sentencing of 34-year-old Brandon B. Boyer of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. On January 18, 2024, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Boyer to 18 months in prison, followed by a two-year supervised release, for his involvement in a computer hacking scheme targeting adult females.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between February 2020 and February 2022, Boyer illegally accessed the Snapchat accounts of numerous women. His motive was to find and sell nude photographs. Acting on behalf of clients who paid for these intrusions, Boyer used a deceptive method known as “phishing” to obtain access. He impersonated a Snapchat representative via text messages, tricking victims into changing their passwords and providing him with the verification codes. This breach allowed him unrestricted access to private content in the accounts.
Boyer admitted to earning between $50,000 and $60,000 from this illicit activity. Additionally, some clients used the acquired photos to cyberstalk and extort the victims for more images.