British hacker who stole more than 35 million faces extradition to the US

a 24-year-old British man is facing extradition to the United States after a SIM card swap fraud that took place in mid-2021 and targeted a Boston-based cryptocurrency broker and co-founder of a company that creates software for cryptocurrency processes.

The theft itself took place back in 2017. Robert Barr, a Briton, together with a «colleague» (the latter will not be extradited due to health problems), managed to organize the replacement of Reggie Middleton’s SIM card by creating a duplicate card. This allowed them to gain access to the victim’s accounts and, most importantly, to the crypto wallet. More than $ 8 million in ICO tokens were stolen.

In the same year, Barr and another accomplice managed to hack into another victim’s phone, stealing at least half a million pounds, according to investigators. In total, Barr is credited with stealing more than 35 million pounds.

In February 2021, Barr was arrested but later released on bail paid by his mother. The court will make a decision on extradition by the end of the year.