14 DAY TRIAL // The FBI has arrested Jared James Abrahams, a 19-year-old from Temecula, California, on suspicion of hacking into the computers of Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf and others. The man is said to have hacked the computers of several women to obtain compromising materials which he later used to blackmail them.
According to court documents seen by the LA Times, the FBI has been investigating the suspect since March. At the time, the agency learned that Abrahams was hacking into computers to obtain raunchy photographs and videos via the victim’s webcam.
Once he obtained what he wanted, he contacted his targets via AOL and blackmailed them. He demanded more adult photos, an adult video, or a five-minute live session on Skype – whichever of these the victim preferred.
Abrahams’ home was raided by the FBI in June. Computers, mobile phones and hacking tools were seized at the time.
Cassidy Wolf went public with her story shortly after being crowned Miss Teen USA 2013. The incident apparently occurred before she became famous. Abrahams, a college freshman majoring in computer science, knew Wolf.
The Associated Press reports that Abrahams admitted controlling between 30 and 40 computers. The women extorted by the hacker are not just from the United States, but also from Ireland, Canada and Russia. Some of them gave in to extortion, including a 17-year-old from Ireland.
For now, the suspect has been charged with extortion, for which he could get up to two years in a federal prison, and with hacking. However, other charges might follow.
Abrahams has been released on bail. Nevertheless, he cannot leave his home and he’s not allowed to use a computer for other than school-related tasks. He’s wearing a GPS bracelet, and special software has been installed on his computer to monitor his activities.