Robert Purbeck went by the names of “Lifelock” and “Studmaster.” Strong and bold names, leading one to think he was a protector of the masses, or at least handy with a hammer. Such an oxymoron for what Purbeck really was. A fraudster who stole more than 132,000 identities through the darknet and extorted the victims for gain.
In June 2017, Purbeck purchased access to the computer server of a Griffin, Georgia medical clinic on a darknet marketplace. A shopping spree of sorts. He then used the stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access into computers of the medical clinic and stole the medical records. These records contained sensitive personal information of over 43,000 individuals, including names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers. Subsequently, in February 2018, Purbeck went shopping again in the great mall of the darknet and purchased access to a Georgia Police Department server in City of Newnan. He then again used these stolen credentials to steal records consisting of police reports and documents, which included personal information of more than 14,000 people.
Fraudsters don’t do something without an endgame. Purbeck didn’t just steal these identities for kicks and giggles. Although he may have been giggling. He used the stolen identities and information to extort from his victims. On August 31, 2019, the FBI seized multiple computers and devices from the Studmaster’s home, which contained personal information of over 132,000 individuals obtained through numerous data breaches, including the City of Newnan, the Griffin medical clinic, and many more throughout the United States.
On March 20, Purbeck plead guilty to abuse with a computer and agreed to pay more than $1 million in restitution to these victims.
Great job by the FBI.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Idaho man pleads guilty to cyberattacks targeting Georgia health care facilities, police” published by Fox 5 Atlanta on March 20, 2024
An Idaho man has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of people’s personal information by hacking computer systems in multiple Georgia cities.
Officials say 44-year-old Robert Purbeck, who goes by “Lifelock” and “Studmaster,” stole the information of more than 132,000 people through the darknet. On Tuesday, Purbeck pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of computer fraud and abuse.
According to information provided in court, Purbeck bought access to a Griffin medical clinic on a darknet marketplace in June 2017. He then used those stolen credentials to steal medical records and other documents containing the sensitive personal information of more than 43,000 people.
