ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

How Cellphone Fraud Can Steal and Exploit Personal Information of Any Individual With a Device

This financial restitution underscores the real-world impact of such crimes on businesses and their customers
PUBLISHED DEC 31, 2023
Image Source: Pexels/Tara Winstead
Image Source: Pexels/Tara Winstead

Cell phones have become a device almost everyone has, and they carry most of our personal information. This is what makes cellphone fraud so scary, and now it has become an increasingly prevalent threat in the digital age, exemplified by cases such as that of Delano Bush, a 34-year-old Southfield man who recently pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a sophisticated multimillion-dollar cellphone upgrade fraud scheme. The incident sheds light on the evolving landscape of identity theft and the alarming ways in which fraudsters exploit personal information for illicit gains.

The modus operandi in this case involved the fraudulent acquisition of personally identifiable information (PII) from unsuspecting individuals. Bush and his accomplices utilized this stolen data to orchestrate a large-scale scheme involving the unauthorized purchase of cellular devices on credit. Court records revealed that these devices were charged to accounts opened in the names of identity theft victims, all without their consent or knowledge.

Cover Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
 Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

The timeline of the fraudulent activities spanned from early June 2017 through September 2019, during which more than 26,000 illicit transactions occurred, resulting in a staggering financial loss exceeding $28,000,000. The scale and duration of the scheme underscore the need for robust measures to counteract evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals.

The case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft is a constantly evolving threat, with fraudsters adapting to new methods to steal and abuse the personal information of their victims.

Image Source: Photo by RDNE Stock project | Pexels
Image Source: Photo by RDNE Stock project | Pexels

The guilty plea has triggered a legal process that could lead to severe consequences for Bush. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his plea agreement, Bush is also obligated to pay restitution to AT&T, the cellular service provider affected by his fraudulent acitivity, with the minimum amount being $1,500,000. This financial restitution underscores the real-world impact of such crimes on businesses and their customers.

The sentencing, scheduled for April 25, 2024, will be a critical juncture in determining the repercussions for Bush. It will serve as a benchmark for the legal system's response to increasingly sophisticated cases of cellphone fraud and identity theft. The outcome of this case may also influence future efforts to combat similar cybercrimes, as law enforcement agencies and legal authorities seek to stay ahead of the ever-evolving tactics employed by fraudsters.

Photo illustration, of a hacker with an Anonymous mask on his face | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot
Photo illustration, of a hacker with an Anonymous mask on his face | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot

As society becomes more digitally connected, the prevalence of identity theft and cellphone fraud underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding personal information. It also highlights the need for businesses and individuals to adopt robust security measures to protect against such malicious activities. As the legal system addresses cases like that of Delano Bush, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between punitive measures and preventative strategies to curb the rising tide of cybercrime in the realm of cellphone fraud.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The guest had to promise on camera to share the profits with her friend who gifted the item.
11 hours ago
Harvey just couldn't seem to understand what Giuliana Rancic's mother was saying.
12 hours ago
Harvey had to take a moment to school the contestant on how the game is played.
14 hours ago
It seemed like Veronica forgot she was holding the host's hand after the win.
15 hours ago
The owner of the Jean-Michel Basquiat Oil Stick Painting made it clear that it wasn't going anywhere
16 hours ago
The player, Jason Warren missed out on taking home more than $86,000.
17 hours ago
The TikTok creator @thebiteo87 stirred a debate on social media by exposing the new tactic.
1 day ago
Harvey couldn't believe what the NFLPA stars would choose for their wives to wear
1 day ago
Harvey barely held on to the podium after hearing the answers that shook him.
1 day ago
The celebration was justified as Joseph won a brand new car on his birthday.
2 days ago
The player, Shaunica Amantine missed out on taking home over $82,000 over the seemingly tough puzzle
2 days ago
After nearly losing a brand new car, Dylan got a second chance to take it home.
2 days ago
The seller Robert, chose to keep to his one-of-a-kind Boba Fett prototype, expecting to get more.
3 days ago
The player, Cherie Noisette, missed on out taking home more than $61,000 in prizes.
3 days ago
The seller refused to accept a lowball bid for his signed, rookie Mickey Mantle card.
3 days ago
Harvey couldn't relate more with the contestant and demanded the response to be number 1.
3 days ago
The player also brought her husband along on the stage to support her.
4 days ago
The guest who had very little idea about the Sun Valley poster was beyond delighted.
4 days ago
The FSIS announced at least five people were injured from consumption of the affected products.
5 days ago