Snapchat Accounts Allegedly Hacked by a Man for Extorting Sexually Explicit Images

As per the federal prosecutors, Barton George Scott, a registered sex offender, has hacked over two dozen accounts of Snapchat belonging to minors, last year, so as to have sexually explicit images along with videos. Scott aged 35 years, appeared first time in the federal court on Tuesday (25 September, 2018). His city of residence, however, is still not known. The charges imposed on Scott are revealed by a new and unsealed 26-count indictment that outlined charges related to computer hacking and child pornography.

As per the indictment, between 30 April, 2018, and 8 August, 2018, 25 victims' Snapchat accounts were illegally accessed by Scott, and most victims were found to be minors. As per U.S. Attorney's Office, Scott allegedly hacked social media accounts using "extortionate tactics" at times, so as to have the explicit files.

Indictment stems from the Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative for combating the rising epidemic of the child sexual exploitation and abuse that was launched, by Department of Justice, in May 2006.

As per the indictment, Scott is required by the Wisconsin law to be registered as a sex criminal, and therefore, messages seeking comment from the Attorney were left. The charges against him now also include committing crime even after being registered as a sex criminal.

fox9.com posted on September 27, 2018, that Scott has been facing with several indictment charges that includes one count of penalties for being a registered sex criminal, one count of production of child pornography, six counts of fraud as well as related activities in connection with the computers, six counts of attempted production of child pornography, and 12 counts of fraud as well as related activities in connection with the computers.

Scott was again scheduled to return to the court for detention hearing as well as arraignment. Scott has been held in the federal custody with charges in the Sherburne County. The investigation of the case was done by FBI along with Stillwater Police Department, Sheriff's Office of the Carver County, Sheriff's Office of the Washington County, Police Department of New Richmond, Sheriff's Office of the St. Croix County, and Sheriff's Office of the Anne Arundel County.

However, the law enforcement is of the belief that there can be more victims, and FBI has already asked people to give a call on the number (763) 569-8000, if they have any information on the same. Scott appeared for the first time on Tuesday, in front of the U.S. Magistrate.

» SPAMfighter News - 10/3/2018