● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Man sentenced to six years for hacking 750 women's Snapchat accounts and distributing CSAM
Key points
- Kyle Svara sentenced to 76 months for Snapchat hacking.
- Hacked over 750 women's accounts, targeting 4,500.
- Stole nude photos and distributed child sexual abuse material.
- Used social engineering and posed as Snap Inc. representative.
Sentencing for Snapchat Hacking
An Illinois man, Kyle Svara, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and three years of supervised release. This sentencing follows his admission in February to hacking the Snapchat accounts of over 750 women. Svara used social engineering tactics to phish Snapchat access codes, subsequently stealing nude photos and trading or selling them online.
Scope of the Cybercrime
Between May 2020 and February 2021, Svara targeted more than 4,500 victims. He posed as a representative of Snap Inc. and utilized anonymized phone numbers to carry out his scheme. After gaining credentials, he accessed approximately 517 women's Snapchat accounts without permission, downloading explicit images and activating two-factor authentication to lock victims out.
Discovery of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Investigators discovered that Svara also distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). His Mega account contained approximately 530 images and 600 videos depicting CSAM. During interviews, Svara falsely denied knowledge of hacking Snapchat and denied interest in or access to child pornography, statements contradicted by evidence of his collection, distribution, and solicitation of CSAM.
Online Services and Accomplices
Svara advertised his "services" online, offering to hack into Snapchat accounts and trade stolen images, directing potential clients to contact him via the Kik encrypted messaging app. One client, Steve Waithe, a former Northeastern University track and field coach, hired Svara to hack accounts of students and team members. Waithe was later sentenced to five years in prison for cyber fraud, cyberstalking, and sextortion.
Local and Collegiate Targets
In addition to paid hacking jobs, Svara independently targeted many women in Plainfield, Illinois, including neighbors, family friends, classmates, and personal friends. He also hacked accounts of students at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, demonstrating a broad scope of victims beyond those involved in his online "services."
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
An Illinois man received a 76-month prison sentence for hacking over 750 women's Snapchat accounts to steal nude photos, which he then traded or sold online. The investigation also uncovered his distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leading to charges and a conviction that highlights the severe consequences of cybercrime involving personal data and illicit content.