02-09-25, 01:45 AM
Noah Michael Urban, a 20-year-old member of the cybercrime gang Scattered Spider, has been sentenced in the U.S. to 10 years in federal prison for his role in cryptocurrency thefts and corporate hacks. Urban, who used multiple aliases including “Sosa” and “King Bob,” pleaded guilty in April 2025 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Authorities said he and accomplices carried out SIM swapping attacks between 2022 and 2023, stealing at least $800,000 from victims. In total, Urban was ordered to pay $13 million in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release after prison.
Scattered Spider, linked to wider English-speaking cybercriminal networks, is known for social engineering, SIM swaps, and ransomware attacks. The group recently allied with ShinyHunters and LAPSUS$, consolidating resources amid law enforcement crackdowns. Experts warn the merger could make them more dangerous and versatile.
Cybersecurity analysts note that Scattered Spider’s tactics—such as vishing, smishing, and MFA fatigue attacks—highlight how human deception often bypasses technical defenses.
Authorities said he and accomplices carried out SIM swapping attacks between 2022 and 2023, stealing at least $800,000 from victims. In total, Urban was ordered to pay $13 million in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release after prison.
Scattered Spider, linked to wider English-speaking cybercriminal networks, is known for social engineering, SIM swaps, and ransomware attacks. The group recently allied with ShinyHunters and LAPSUS$, consolidating resources amid law enforcement crackdowns. Experts warn the merger could make them more dangerous and versatile.
Cybersecurity analysts note that Scattered Spider’s tactics—such as vishing, smishing, and MFA fatigue attacks—highlight how human deception often bypasses technical defenses.
