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Former U.S. Army Soldier Pleads Guilty to Telecom Hacks and Extortion Scheme
July 15, 2025
A former U.S. Army soldier has pleaded guilty to hacking multiple telecommunications companies and attempting to extort them by threatening to leak sensitive data, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Cameron John Wagenius, who used the online alias “kiberphant0m,” admitted to hacking at least 10 companies to steal login credentials and private files. Authorities say he used techniques such as brute force attacks and credential theft to gain access to corporate systems.
Coordinated Hacking and Extortion
Wagenius coordinated with others via Telegram group chats, where they shared stolen credentials and discussed ongoing breaches. In several cases, he and his co-conspirators attempted to extort victims both privately and publicly, using platforms like the BreachForums hacking forum to pressure companies.
The stolen data was reportedly used in further criminal activity, including SIM swapping attacks, where hackers hijack phone numbers to gain access to victims' personal accounts.
Guilty Plea in Major Telecom Breach
Earlier this year, Wagenius had also pleaded guilty to hacking AT&T and Verizon, where he accessed and stole large volumes of call detail records and sensitive account information.
He is also believed to be connected to a broader series of data breaches tied to cloud infrastructure provider Snowflake, though details of his involvement in that case have not been publicly disclosed.
Sentencing Set for October
Wagenius is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, according to the Justice Department.
This case highlights the growing threat posed by insider-adjacent attackers — individuals with military, corporate, or technical backgrounds who leverage their knowledge to carry out sophisticated cybercrime operations.
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