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U.K. National Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Email Hack of US Companies
London man accused of hacking U.S. corporate emails to profit from non-public information.
MORRISTOWN, N.J. - A United Kingdom national has been charged in connection with a sophisticated hack-to-trade scheme that netted millions of dollars in profits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced this week. Robert Westbrook, 39, of London, was arrested in the U.K. and faces extradition to the United States to face charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, and five counts of computer fraud.
Between January 2019 and May 2020, Westbrook allegedly accessed Office365 email accounts belonging to corporate executives of several U.S.-based companies without authorization. According to court documents, he used this access to obtain non-public information, such as details about upcoming earnings announcements. Using this confidential information, Westbrook purchased securities, which he promptly sold for substantial profits after the announcements became public, amassing over $3 million.
The indictment further details that Westbrook employed auto-forwarding rules to ensure that content from the compromised email accounts was continuously sent to accounts he controlled, allowing him ongoing access to sensitive corporate information.
The charges carry severe penalties. The securities fraud and wire fraud counts each carry a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, with fines up to $5 million and $250,000, respectively, or double the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Each of the five computer fraud charges could result in a sentence of up to five years in prison and fines of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the crime.
In addition to the criminal charges, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a civil complaint against Westbrook based on the same conduct.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigative efforts of the FBI, particularly special agents under Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark, for their work in leading to these charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha C. Fasanello, Chief of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark, is representing the government in this case.
It is important to note that the charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and Westbrook is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
