Amir Hossein Golshan, a 25-year-old Los Angeles resident, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison following a string of sophisticated cybercrimes that led to significant financial losses. Identified as a “serial cybercriminal and scammer” in court documents, Golshan was ordered to pay $1,218,526 in restitution for his actions, which affected hundreds of victims and resulted in approximately $740,000 in losses.
Golshan’s criminal operations, spanning from April 2019 to February 2023, involved a variety of intricate cyber schemes:
- SIM-Swapping Attacks: Golshan’s primary method involved SIM-swapping, a technique where he fraudulently transferred victims’ phone numbers to SIM cards under his control. This allowed him to bypass two-factor authentication and gain unauthorized access to their personal accounts, including email and financial services. By redirecting messages and calls to his devices, he effectively took over their digital identities.
- Social Media Account Hijacking: Leveraging the access gained from SIM-swapping, Golshan targeted social media accounts, notably a high-profile Instagram influencer. He manipulated these accounts for financial gain, either by direct extortion of the account owners or by using their influence to defraud followers.
- Zelle Payment Fraud: He also engaged in payment fraud using Zelle, a digital payment network. By gaining access to victims’ banking information through SIM-swapped phones, he initiated unauthorized transactions, transferring funds from the victims’ accounts to accounts he controlled.
- Impersonating Apple Support: Another facet of his criminal activities involved posing as Apple support personnel. This social engineering tactic enabled him to deceive victims into providing sensitive information or granting access to their devices, under the guise of offering technical assistance.
Golshan’s sentencing in a California federal court reflects the seriousness of cybercrimes and the multifaceted techniques employed by modern cybercriminals. The case underscores the urgent need for heightened cybersecurity awareness and measures among individuals and organizations. The Department of Justice’s satisfaction with the sentence highlights the ongoing commitment to tackling such sophisticated and damaging cyber threats.
This case serves as a reminder of the constantly evolving landscape of cybercrime and the importance of staying vigilant against various forms of digital fraud. As cybercriminals continue to find new methods to exploit technological and human vulnerabilities, this conviction is a testament to the relentless efforts of law enforcement and cybersecurity experts in combating online fraud and securing the digital realm.
