A 29-year-old Brazilian citizen, Junior Barros De Oliveira from Curitiba, faces serious charges in the United States for an alleged cybercrime and extortion attempt. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted De Oliveira on eight counts related to cyber extortion and threatening communications.

In March 2020, De Oliveira allegedly breached the network of a Brazilian subsidiary of a New Jersey-based company, stealing confidential information of approximately 300,000 customers. Using an alias, he contacted the company’s CEO in September 2020, demanding 300 bitcoin (worth $3.2 million at the time) to prevent the sale of stolen data.

The suspect later approached company executives with a different proposal, offering to help resolve the security vulnerability for 75 bitcoin ($800,000), providing Bitcoin wallet details for payment.

The charges against De Oliveira include:
– Four counts of extortionate threats: Maximum 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine per count
– Four counts of threatening communications: Maximum 2 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine per count

Alternatively, fines could be doubled based on the value of gains or losses, whichever is greater.