Darknet Diaries 118: Hot Swaps
84 snips
May 31, 2022 
Joseph Harris, a former hacker turned ethical advocate, shares his gripping journey from video game account thief to notorious SIM swapper. He unveils the complexities of online gambling, moral dilemmas of hacking, and the dark art of cryptocurrency laundering. Joseph recounts the thrill and chaos of his cybercrimes, including a massive $15 million heist, plus the emotional highs and lows that followed. Ultimately, he reflects on his transformation and commitment to using his skills for good, navigating the fine line between right and wrong in the digital age.
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Early Hacking Days
- At 12, Joseph Harris socially engineered email providers to reset passwords for Runescape and Club Penguin accounts.
- He sold these accounts, with the highest sale being $1500 for a Club Penguin account.
Individual Targeting
- Targeting individuals makes social engineering attacks feel more serious than corporate hacks.
- Trust in email providers' resistance to social engineering is crucial for account security.
OG Usernames and Bitcoin
- Joseph transitioned from stealing game accounts to targeting original usernames (OGs) for profit.
- He embraced Bitcoin for its irreversible transactions, eliminating chargebacks.