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Kyell Bryan, Cryptocurrency Theft, Baltimore MD, 2021
Baltimore, MD – A brazen cryptocurrency theft spiraled into a dangerous act of revenge, culminating in a guilty plea for 20-year-old Kyell Bryan of Kingston, Pennsylvania. Bryan admitted today to aggravated identity theft stemming from a sophisticated “SIM swap” scheme that netted over $16,000 in stolen digital currency, and then attempting to weaponize law enforcement against his co-conspirator.
According to court documents, Bryan, operating under an online alias, teamed up with Jordan K. Milleson in June 2019 to target victims and siphon their cryptocurrency. The operation hinged on gaining access to employee credentials for wireless service providers. Once inside, they’d execute “SIM swaps” – hijacking a victim’s phone number and redirecting calls and texts to a device under their control. This allowed them to bypass security measures and access email and financial accounts, effectively emptying victims’ digital wallets.
The pair specifically targeted Victim 3, the owner of a digital currency investment company. Using stolen login information from Victim 2, a wireless provider employee, Bryan and Milleson redirected Victim 3’s phone traffic, granting them access to their accounts. Bryan then directed Milleson to transfer approximately $16,847.47 worth of cryptocurrency from Victim 3’s holdings. The ease with which they bypassed security protocols highlights the growing vulnerability of digital assets to these types of attacks.
But the scheme quickly unraveled, not due to law enforcement intervention, but internal strife. Bryan and his other accomplices suspected Milleson of skimming profits from the stolen cryptocurrency. Threats escalated rapidly, with promises to burn down Milleson’s house and “ruin” his life if he didn’t share the ill-gotten gains. This descent into paranoia led Bryan down an even darker path.
Driven by rage and a desire for retribution, Bryan and his crew began a frantic search for Milleson’s true identity. They relentlessly messaged contacts online, demanding Milleson’s real name, address, and contact information. Once obtained, Bryan chillingly declared they would “swat” Milleson – a dangerous and increasingly common harassment tactic involving the false reporting of a violent crime to trigger a SWAT team response to the target’s location.
While the “swatting” attempt never came to fruition, Bryan’s guilty plea to aggravated identity theft underscores the escalating risks associated with cryptocurrency fraud. The case was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore), and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). Sentencing details for Kyell Bryan have not yet been released.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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