- Renowned on-chain investigator ZachXBT has unearthed substantial proof connecting convicted British hacker Gurv, aka Gurvinder Bhangu, to the recent breaches of American actress Sydney Sweeney’s and ‘Breaking Bad’ star Bob Odenkirk’s X accounts.
- This hacking spree resulted in the theft of over $530,000 through fraudulent Solana meme coin schemes.
- ZachXBT’s investigation reveals that wallets involved in the SWEENEY coin scam liquidated the coins for more than $515,000 before cashing out.
Discover how a notorious UK hacker orchestrated a cryptocurrency scam involving Hollywood celebrities, leading to significant financial losses and a complex web of digital footprints.
Sydney Sweeney’s Account Under Attack
On July 2nd, Sydney Sweeney’s X account was compromised following a SIM swap attack. This led to the posting of a link advertising a fraudulent Solana-based meme coin called SWEENEY.
The coin’s value initially surged before crashing, causing substantial losses to those who invested in it. Notably, team wallets associated with the scam offloaded over $515,000 worth of the coin before liquidating the assets. Post-incident, the hacker taunted social media users and sought recognition for other high-profile hacks, including those involving Hulk Hogan and 50 Cent, although these claims lack substantial evidence.
Tracing the Scam’s Proceeds
Using precise timing analysis, ZachXBT tracked proceeds from the SWEENEY scam to a Solana exchange, where the funds were converted into Bitcoin and Ethereum. Screenshots circulating online showed Gurv receiving login codes for Sweeney’s account through the SIM swap on Telegram, as well as a transaction receipt from Verizon for the SIM swap. This evidence strengthens the case against Gurv, who was previously jailed in the UK for hacking Instagram accounts and extorting users.
Bob Odenkirk Also Targeted
On July 9th, Bob Odenkirk’s X account suffered a similar fate with links to meme coins KIRK and SAUL being posted. Despite the hackers’ efforts, their mishandling of the scam resulted in minimal profits.
Further analysis connected the proceeds to the same Ethereum address used in the Sweeney hack. Evidence also indicates that portions of the funds were channeled to crypto casinos and used for purchasing gift cards. Currently, the wallets involved in these hacks hold a combined total of $488,000.
Law Enforcement and Future Implications
The breadth of evidence unearthed by ZachXBT, including timestamps, wallet analysis, and transaction receipts, strongly implicates Gurv. This leads to a renewed call for UK law enforcement to act swiftly, leveraging the compelling evidence on hand. As cryptocurrency scams become increasingly sophisticated, these detailed investigative efforts highlight the importance of vigilance and robust digital security measures.
Conclusion
The sophisticated hacks on Sydney Sweeney and Bob Odenkirk serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within digital ecosystems. Hacker Gurv, having orchestrated these high-profile breaches, exemplifies the evolving threat landscape in the cryptocurrency domain. The detailed forensic analysis by ZachXBT not only uncovers the hacker’s methods but also underscores the critical need for enhanced security frameworks to protect users and their assets in the future.
