Serial extortionist of medical facilities pleads guilty to cybercrime charges

A U.S. attacker, Robert Purbeck (aliases “Lifelock” and “Studmaster”), pleaded guilty to computer fraud and extortion after stealing personal data for more than 132,000 people across at least 18 organizations — including healthcare clinics and a Georgia police department — by purchasing access credentials and leveraging initial access brokers; he weaponized stolen PII to extort victims, was arrested in 2021, had devices seized, and agreed to pay $1 million in restitution ahead of a June 18 sentencing.