Overview

• Between April 2023 and December 2024, Wagenius and co-conspirators used a brute-force tool called SSH Brute and Telegram chats to breach credentials at ten telecommunications firms.
• They attempted to extort at least $1 million by threatening to release stolen data on public cybercrime forums and sold records that fueled SIM-swapping and other identity theft schemes.
• The former 21-year-old soldier, who operated under the nickname "kiberphant0m," carried out the scheme while stationed at Fort Cavazos in Texas.
• Wagenius pleaded guilty on July 15 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion in relation to computer fraud and aggravated identity theft.
• He faces a potential 27-year prison term, including 20 years for wire fraud, five years for computer-fraud extortion and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft when he is sentenced on October 6.