How My $50,000 Twitter Username was Extorted from Me

How My $50,000 Twitter Username was Extorted from Me

I had a rare Twitter username, @N. Yep, just one letter. I’ve been offered as much as $50,000 for it. People have tried to steal it. Password reset instructions are a regular sight in my email inbox. As of today, I no longer control @N. I was extorted into giving it up.From: GoDaddy To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 12:50:02 -0800 Subject: Account Settings Change ConfirmationN, Jan 20 01:43 PM:From: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:55:43 -0800 Subject: Hello.From: change@godaddy.com To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:49:41 -0800 Subject: Update [Incident ID: 21773161] — XXXXX.XXXFrom: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 18:50:16 -0800 Subject: …helloFrom: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima To: SOCIAL MEDIA KING Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:41:17 -0800 Subject: Re: …helloFrom: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:44:02 -0800 Subject: RE: …helloFrom: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:53:52 -0800 Subject: RE: …helloFrom: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:00:31 -0800 Subject: RE: …helloFrom: SOCIAL MEDIA KING To: <*****@*****.***> Naoki Hiroshima Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:09:21 -0800 Subject: RE: …hello

While eating lunch on January 20, 2014, I received a text message from PayPal for one-time validation code. Somebody was trying to steal my PayPal account. I ignored it and continued eating.Dear naoki hiroshima,Twitter username: @n Your email: *****@*****.*** Last sign in: December Mobile number (optional): n/a Anything else? (optional): I’m not receiving the password reset to my email, do you think you could manually send me one?I’ve seen you spoke with an accomplice of mine, I would just like to inform you that you were correct, @N was the target. it appears extremely inactive, I would also like to inform you that your GoDaddy domains are in my possession, one fake purchase and they can be repossessed by godaddy and never seen again D:Unfortunately, Domain Services will not be able to assist you with your change request as you are not the current registrant of the domain name. As the registrar we can only make this type of change after verifying the consent of the registrant. You may wish to pursue one or more of the following options should you decide to pursue this matter further:Are you going to swap the handle? the godaddy account is ready to go. Password changed and a neutral email is linked to it.I released @N. Take it right away.Thank you very much, your godaddy password is: V;Mz,3{;!’g&– I called paypal and used some very simple engineering tactics to obtain the last four of your card (avoid this by calling paypal and asking the agent to add a note to your account to not release any details via phone)Yes paypal told me them over the phone (I was acting as an employee) and godaddy let me “guess” for the first two digits of the cardI got it in the first call, most agents will just keep trying until they get it

No results were found for "".
  • «
  • 1
  • »
modal lock

Continue Reading With A Free Inc42 Account

Get the most out of your Inc42 experience by creating a free account. Enjoy personalized recommendations, ad-lite browsing, and access to our exclusive newsletters.