A man’s been jailed for hacking into iCloud accounts and posting sensitive information online after hacking into nearly 300 iCloud accounts, including one belonging to a woman from Grays.
Craig Steinberg, 31, from Sunderland, used software to get access to the accounts accounts between 2015 and 2017.
He then posted private images on a website and charged people for access.
The Grays victim contacted Action Fraud after her iCloud account was hacked and private photographs had been published online.
In December Steinberg was charged with 14 counts of causing a computer to perform a function to secure or enable unauthorised access to a programme or data.
He admitted the charges and was sentenced to 34 months in prison.
He has also been given a restraining order that will significantly restrict his future ownership and operation of computer equipment.
Detective Inspector Claire Talbot, the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate Cyber Crime Unit, said: “Hacking into someone’s account and stealing personal images is a complete invasion of their privacy.
“To then exploit this by selling access to these images is totally repugnant.
“Craig Steinberg targeted hundreds of people, accessing their accounts without their permission and with no regard for their welfare, leaving them feeling violated and scared.
“While we’ve not been able to physically speak to all of the people he targeted we have made contact with them to let them know about this investigation.
“I hope this sentence provides them with some solace.
“I also hope Steinberg uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions and their consequences and this will act as a deterrent to anyone else considering something similar.”
Tags: Grays, Thurrock
