Alabama man pleads guilty in social media hacking and sextortion case involving hundreds of victims

A 22-year-old Alabama man has pleaded guilty after federal prosecutors said he hacked and extorted hundreds of teens and young adults by taking over their social media accounts and threatening to release private intimate images. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said Jamarcus Mosley pleaded guilty to computer fraud, extortion, and cyberstalking. Prosecutors said the scheme ran from April 2022 through May 2025 and targeted victims across multiple states, including minors.

According to the Justice Department, Mosley tricked victims into handing over recovery codes, passcodes, and account access by pretending to be friends or trusted contacts. After taking control of Snapchat, Instagram, and other accounts, he allegedly demanded money, additional explicit content, or access to more accounts. When victims refused, he threatened to post their private images or lock them out of their accounts.

Federal prosecutors described the case as a long-running sextortion scheme built on social engineering. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said Mosley “is the dangerous online stranger who every parent fears” and said the case shows why teens and young adults must be careful about who they trust online. Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger added that the case shows the severe harm cyber exploitation can cause, especially to young victims.

The Justice Department included several examples in its statement. In one case, prosecutors said Mosley posed as a high school friend to get a 20-year-old Georgia woman’s Snapchat recovery code, then used it to access private nude images and videos. In another case, prosecutors said he publicly posted stolen intimate images of an 18-year-old Florida woman after she refused to send more nude photos. Prosecutors also said he used a hacked account belonging to a 17-year-old Illinois victim to contact the 13-year-old sister of another victim and sent a Snapchat map image to imply he knew where she lived.

Mosley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown. The case was investigated by the Kennesaw Police Department with assistance from the United States Secret Service, according to the Justice Department.

Key facts in the case

How prosecutors say the scheme worked

• Mosley allegedly impersonated victims’ friends or trusted contacts.
• He persuaded victims to share recovery passcodes, passwords, or “My Eyes Only” access.
• He then took over the accounts and searched private images and videos.
• He threatened to post the content publicly or lock victims out.
• He demanded money, more explicit material, or access to additional accounts.

Why this case matters

This case shows how social engineering still drives many online exploitation cases. The attacker did not need advanced malware or a major software flaw. Prosecutors said he mainly relied on deception, account recovery abuse, and pressure tactics after gaining access. That makes this case a warning for parents, schools, and young users who often treat recovery codes and password reset requests as harmless.

It also reflects a broader enforcement push against sextortion and account-takeover crimes. The Justice Department has repeatedly warned that attackers often use hacked social media accounts to harvest private images and then pressure victims into sending more content or money. In cases involving minors, the harm can escalate quickly and last for years.

What parents and users should take from this

• Never share recovery codes, reset links, or “My Eyes Only” passcodes.
• Treat unexpected requests from friends with caution, even if they come from real accounts.
• Turn on strong two-factor authentication where possible.
• Lock down email accounts, since they often control password resets.
• Report sextortion threats to law enforcement immediately.

FAQ