Pittsburgh Men Plead Guilty in Snapchat Hacking Scheme Targeting Minors
Severity: High (Score: 61.5)
Sources: Hoodline, Wtrf
Published: · Updated:
Keywords: snapchat, guilty, accounts, pittsburgh-area, federal, plead, hacking
Summary
Two men from the Pittsburgh area, Richard Martz Jr. and Dylan Miller, pleaded guilty in a federal court to their involvement in a Snapchat hacking scheme that targeted hundreds of users from March 2020 to October 2022. The operation involved accessing private accounts to steal sexually explicit images, including those of minors. The group used phishing techniques to obtain authorization codes from victims, allowing them to reset passwords and access private content. The stolen material was then stored, traded, and sold online without the victims' consent. A total of seven individuals were indicted in a 16-count federal indictment, which included charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Martz and Miller are required to register as sex offenders and are awaiting sentencing scheduled for September 16, 2026. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities encouraging potential victims to come forward. Key Points: • Two Pittsburgh men pleaded guilty to hacking Snapchat accounts and stealing explicit images. • The scheme targeted hundreds of users, including minors, using phishing techniques. • Seven individuals were indicted, with significant charges including aggravated identity theft.
Detailed Analysis
**Impact** Hundreds of Snapchat users, including minors, were targeted in this scheme, resulting in the theft and unauthorized distribution of sexually explicit images and videos. The affected individuals are primarily located in the Pittsburgh area and possibly beyond, given the scale of the operation. The stolen content was traded and sold online, causing repeated victimization and significant privacy violations. Two defendants, Richard Martz Jr. and Dylan Miller, have pleaded guilty, with sentencing scheduled for September 16, and both must register as sex offenders. **Technical Details** The attackers employed a phishing-style technique to bypass Snapchat’s verification process by impersonating the company and intercepting one-time authorization codes. This enabled them to reset passwords and access private accounts to download or screenshot intimate content. The group used online storage services like Dropbox to organize and share stolen material, with one folder labeled “Local Girls” containing hundreds of victim folders. No specific malware, CVEs, or infrastructure details were disclosed in the articles. **Recommended Response** Enable two-factor authentication methods that do not rely solely on SMS-based codes to prevent interception. Use unique, strong passwords for each account and educate users to treat unsolicited verification requests as suspicious. Monitor for phishing attempts mimicking Snapchat or similar services and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. No specific patching or IOCs were provided in the available information.
Source articles (2)
- Snapchat accounts hacked for sexual pictures and videos, 2 Pittsburgh-area men plead guilty — Wtrf · 2026-05-29
Two Pittsburgh-area men have pleaded guilty in a federal case involving hacked Snapchat accounts and stolen explicit images. Federal prosecutors said Richard Martz Jr., of Meadville, and Dylan Miller,… - Two Pittsburgh Men Plead Guilty in Snapchat Hacking Case — Hoodline · 2026-05-29
Two Pittsburgh-area men have admitted in federal court to running a Snapchat hacking scheme that prosecutors say targeted hundreds of people and stripped intimate photos from their private accounts, i…
Timeline
- 2023-07-18 — Federal indictment unsealed: A grand jury indicted seven individuals for a Snapchat hacking scheme involving explicit images.
- 2026-05-29 — Martz and Miller plead guilty: Richard Martz Jr. and Dylan Miller admitted their roles in the Snapchat hacking case in federal court.
- 2026-09-16 — Sentencing hearings scheduled: Martz and Miller are set to be sentenced for their roles in the hacking scheme.
Related entities
- Phishing (Attack Type)
- T1566 - Phishing (Mitre Attack)
- Snapchat (Company)