Federal Jury Convicts Charlotte Man For Cyber Extortion Scheme That Targeted International Technology Company

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A federal jury returned a guilty verdict yesterday against a Charlotte man for carrying out an extensive cyber extortion scheme against a D.C.-based international technology company, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Cameron Curry, 27, was convicted of six counts of transmitting or willfully causing interstate communications with the intent to extort a victim company. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell presided over the three-day trial.

According to filed documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, Curry was contracted to work as a data analyst for approximately six months with the victim company. In that capacity, Curry had access to the victim company's data files and other personnel and corporate information. Trial evidence established that Curry misused his position to access the victim company's personnel and other sensitive corporate records, which he then used to carry out the cyber extortion scheme. Curry hatched his extortion scheme after he learned that his contract was not going to be renewed and that he would no longer be employed by the company.

According to evidence presented at trial, from December 11, 2023, to January 24, 2024, Curry, identifying himself online as "Loot," sent over 60 email messages to company employees and executives, threatening to disclose sensitive information unless he was paid $2.5 million dollars in cryptocurrency. Trial evidence further established that the email messages contained threats to disclose sensitive corporate information and employee data, including employees' personally identifiable information (PII), as well as threats to harm the reputation of the victim company by reporting a breach of its information and publishing the information publicly if the victim company failed to pay him via cryptocurrency.

According to trial evidence, on January 24, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Curry's residence, seizing various electronic devices. A forensic analysis of the evidence revealed that Curry was committing the extortion scheme under the "Loot" alias.

At sentencing, Curry faces up to two years in prison for each of the six charges. A sentencing date has not been set.