U.S. Army Soldier Confesses to Hacking AT&T and Verizon Systems, Stealing Significant Phone Records

In December, news broke about a U. S.Army soldier, Cameron John Wagenius, who was indicted for illegally collecting and selling sensitive phone records belonging to AT&T and Verizon customers. This action raised significant concerns for the telecommunications companies, especially regarding the potential misuse of the leaked information. Recently, Wagenius formally pleaded guilty to the charges, acknowledging his role in the extensive theft of personal data.

Cameron John Wagenius: Guilty of Hacking and Data Theft

Wagenius faced serious accusations last year for allegedly distributing call logs of prominent figures, including President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Operating under the alias “Kiberphant0m, ”he even issued threats to disclose classified U. S.government call records unless his demands were met. Furthermore, Wagenius is associated with the notorious Snowflake data breach that occurred in 2024, which compromised approximately 1, 500 user accounts. This illegal activity put various customers of AT&T and Verizon at risk, leading to a significant breach of personal information.

As reported by TechCrunch, Wagenius confessed to illegally disseminating call record information online and acknowledged his involvement in hacking both AT&T and Verizon. He now faces potential fines totalling $250, 000 and up to 10 years in prison. Interestingly, Wagenius is reportedly connected to another accused cybercriminal, Connor Riley Moucka, who was apprehended in October. However, due to his involvement in selling stolen data rather than directly breaching systems, Wagenius’s accountability varies concerning the Snowflake and AT&T breaches.

During a court session last month, U. S.Attorney Tessa Gorman emphasized that the hacking offenses against AT&T and Verizon were not isolated incidents but rather part of an orchestrated scheme. She highlighted that both breaches stemmed from unauthorized computer access and associated extortion efforts, noting that the legal proceedings against Wagenius used similar evidence and followed the same legal framework. This indicates that all of these cyber crimes are intertwined within a larger hacking operation.

With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to impose strict penalties on offenders. Longer sentences and significant fines are becoming standard as authorities aim to deter such activities. In light of these threats, it is imperative for companies to remain vigilant about identifying and closing any potential vulnerabilities in their systems to safeguard against breaches.

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