From Selling Usernames To Stealing Crypto Startups: How A 16-Year Old Stole Over $8M In Bitcoin

Joel Ortiz, a valedictorian with a full scholarship, took an unexpected path that led him into the world of cybercrime.
In this article, we will explore Joel's journey, from a talented student to his involvement in a massive theft of millions of dollars.

From A Scholar To A Skilled Hacker:
Joel Ortiz's fascination with hacking began at a young age when he started teaching himself hacking skills. With time, his skills advanced, and he even started impersonating the FBI. He became influenced by hacker culture and glorified cybercrime.
Joel grew up poor, having no friends in real life, he found companionship on the internet. Unfortunately, the online friends he made led him down a dark path of cybercrime. It all started with Joel's involvement in a Call of Duty cheat lobby, charging people for access.

Little did he know, this would be the beginning of his transformation into a skilled hacker.
Joel started documenting his activities and posting videos online, which caught the attention of like-minded individuals. He became part of online communities focused on modding, bug abuse, and hacking in video games.
Joel's talent grew, and he began teaching himself hacking skills at the age of 16. As he delved deeper into the world of hacking, he found himself drawn to hacker culture and glamorized cybercrime.
Stealing and Selling Instagram Usernames:
Joel's night-time hobby of posting video game content took a dark turn when he stumbled upon a video about stealing and selling valuable usernames on Instagram.

Motivated by his financially insecure childhood, Joel wanted more than just easy money. He started by buying lavish items but soon realized the potential of hacking into Instagram accounts and making thousands of dollars.
Joel hacked into Instagram accounts using #PhishingScams and password cracking techniques. He attempted to recover accounts by obtaining recovery codes and hacking into associated emails.