A Canadian hacker hailing from Ottawa, Matthew Philbert, known for his prolific cyber exploits, particularly targeting individuals, has been sentenced to a two-year prison term.
Philbert's modus operandi involved infecting computers with malware, gaining unauthorized access to devices, and manipulating them for financial gain. His unlawful activities encompassed a variety of tactics, including siphoning funds from bank accounts and employing ransomware to extort money from victims.
Philbert's criminal endeavors, which affected over 1,000 victims, ranged from individuals to businesses, even extending to three police departments. His preferred method of attack typically involved sending deceptive emails containing malicious attachments, which, upon opening, facilitated the infiltration of the victim's device.
Once inside, Philbert would exploit the compromised systems to conduct unauthorized transactions or deploy ransomware, effectively holding devices hostage until a ransom was paid.
In 2021, Philbert's criminal activities were brought to a halt following his arrest by the Ontario Provincial Police, leading to his subsequent imprisonment. During the investigation, authorities discovered 0.61943121 Bitcoin (BTC) in Philbert's possession, which was seized as part of the legal proceedings.
Having pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and related offenses, Philbert has committed to providing full restitution to his victims. The seized Bitcoin, amounting to approximately $49,200, will be utilized to reimburse all affected parties for their losses. This initiative ensures that victims receive compensation for the financial harm inflicted upon them by Philbert's cybercrimes.
