A 39-year-old Kentucky man was sentenced to 81 months in prison for identity theft and hacking the state's registry system to make it appear as if he was dead.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said Jesse Kipf used stolen credentials to access system death registry and register himself as dead, apparently to avoid paying child support.
“ In January 2023, Kipf accessed the Hawaii Death Registry System, using the username and password of a doctor living in another state, and created a ‘case’ for his own death ,” the U.S. Department of Justice press release states .
See also: Seven years in prison for hacker who targeted elderly people through fake technical support
Kipf then filled out a Death Certificate and certified his death, using the doctor's digital signature.
This action resulted in the man appearing as dead in databases US government, effectively canceling his child support obligations.
Kipf also accessed private corporate networks and government systems using stolen credentials, which he also wanted to sell on the dark web.
Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI, who led the investigation, said that "this defendant who hacked into various systems and stole the identities of others for his own personal gain will pay the price."
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The total damage from Kipf's actions, including unpaid alimony, is estimated at more than $195,750.
The man must serve 85% of the prison sentence imposed by Judge Robert Wier, which is 69 months (more than 5.5 years). After his release, he will be supervised for three years.
The case of Jesse Kipf sheds light on the serious implications of identity theft and the importance of protecting personal data. As technology continues to advance, it has become easier for individuals to access and manipulate personal data for their own benefit.
See also: Reducing fraud related to identity theft?
Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide, with millions of people falling victim each year. It not only causes financial losses but can also have a huge impact on someone's reputation and overall well-being.
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Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
