“Lifelock” Hacker Sentenced to 10 Years for Extortion and Cyberattacks

American hacker Robert Purbeck, also known by his aliases “Lifelock” and “Studmaster,” has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a series of cyberattacks and extortion schemes that targeted over 132,000 individuals across the United States. Purbeck stole personal data from medical institutions and police departments and then attempted to extort his victims by threatening to expose the stolen information.

According to court records, in 2017, Purbeck acquired unauthorized access to a Georgia clinic’s server through the dark web, stealing data belonging to 43,000 patients. A year later, he breached the police department server in Newnan, Georgia, gaining access to reports containing the personal information of over 14,000 individuals.

One of his most brazen acts occurred in 2018 when he targeted an orthodontist in Florida. Purbeck demanded ransom payments in Bitcoin, threatening to sell patient data—including sensitive information about the doctor’s child—if his demands were not met. Over 10 days, he bombarded the victim with menacing messages, escalating his intimidation.

The FBI traced Purbeck in 2019 and raided his Idaho residence, seizing numerous devices containing stolen data. Investigators estimated that many victims suffered substantial financial losses due to his crimes.

In March of this year, the court ordered Purbeck to pay more than $1 million in restitution. On November 13, the final verdict was delivered, sentencing him to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

FBI spokesperson Sean Burke emphasized that this case underscores the critical need for stronger cybersecurity measures amid escalating digital extortion threats. He added that the notion of impunity in the digital realm is a dangerous illusion. Even the most cunning hackers cannot hide behind their screens forever, and eventually, they must face justice for their crimes.