Hacker Pleads Guilty to Massive Data Breach: Impact on 132K+

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By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published March 20th, 2024

NEWNAN, Ga. - In a significant development in the fight against cybercrime, Robert Purbeck, known online as “Lifelock” and “Studmaster,” has admitted to federal charges of computer fraud and abuse after hacking into the computer servers of the City of Newnan and a Griffin medical clinic, affecting more than 132,000 individuals nationwide.

“Purbeck breached computer systems in our district and across the country, stole vast amounts of personal information, and aggravated his crimes by weaponizing sensitive data in an egregious attempt to extort his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Cyber-attacks on health care facilities and local governments pose a grave risk to the security of personal information. Our office is committed to tirelessly coordinating with our law enforcement partners to help safeguard the sensitive information of citizens by combatting cybercrime threats from within and outside this district.”

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the gravity of Purbeck’s actions, highlighting the extensive personal data theft and the subsequent extortion attempts. Buchanan stressed the commitment of his office to combatting cybercrime through collaboration with law enforcement partners to protect citizens' sensitive information.

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley affirmed the FBI's dedication to prosecuting cybercriminals and safeguarding critical infrastructure. The FBI aims to assist victims of such crimes while working to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators, regardless of their attempts to evade justice.

Court documents reveal that in June 2017, Purbeck gained illicit access to a Griffin, Georgia medical clinic's server via a darknet marketplace. He exploited this unauthorized access to pilfer medical records containing sensitive information of over 43,000 individuals, including names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers.

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In a subsequent breach in February 2018, Purbeck hacked into the City of Newnan, Georgia Police Department's server, stealing police reports and documents containing the personal information of more than 14,000 people.

An FBI investigation culminated in a search warrant executed at Purbeck's Meridian, Idaho home on August 31, 2019. This operation led to the seizure of computers and devices harboring the personal information of over 132,000 individuals obtained from data breaches, including those at the City of Newnan, the Griffin medical clinic, and at least 17 other victims across the United States.

As part of his plea agreement, Purbeck has agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to the victims of his cybercrimes. He is set to be sentenced on June 18, 2024, by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. in Newnan, Georgia, facing a potential decade in federal prison for his actions.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office led the investigation into Purbeck's activities, with assistance from the FBI Boise, Idaho Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herskowitz, Nathan Kitchens, Alex Sistla, Nicholas Evert, and Trial Attorney Brian Mund of the U.S. Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, demonstrating the coordinated effort to address and penalize cybercriminal behavior severely.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia

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