Twitter Hacker Behind Obama & Bezos Scam Ordered to Repay $5M in Stolen Bitcoin
The hacker responsible for the massive 2020 Twitter security breach—one of the most damaging social engineering attacks in social media history—has been ordered by U.S. authorities to repay more than $5 million in stolen Bitcoin as part of a new restitution ruling.
The attack compromised the Twitter accounts of world-famous figures, including:
- Barack Obama
- Jeff Bezos
- Elon Musk
- Bill Gates
- Joe Biden
- Apple
- Uber
- Kanye West
All of them were used to promote a fraudulent Bitcoin giveaway scam.
The Infamous 2020 Twitter Bitcoin Scam
In July 2020, Twitter suffered a security meltdown when hackers took control of dozens of verified, high-profile accounts. They used them to post messages encouraging followers to send Bitcoin with the promise of receiving double in return.
The now-iconic scam message read:
“All Bitcoin sent to the address below will be sent back doubled. If you send $1,000, I will send $2,000 back.”
Despite sounding unbelievable, the scam generated hundreds of thousands of dollars within hours.
Later investigations confirmed that the attack stemmed from social engineering techniques used on Twitter employees with internal access.
Who Was Behind the Twitter Hack?
The individual now ordered to pay restitution—identified in court documents as part of a multi-person operation—was a key participant in:
- Compromising Twitter internal systems
- Selling access to valuable handles
- Operating the Bitcoin scam wallet
Authorities tracked and seized a large portion of the stolen BTC, but millions remained missing—until now.
The court’s restitution order requires repayment of over $5 million worth of Bitcoin, reflecting both the stolen funds and statutory penalties.
Why the Repayment Order Matters
The ruling is significant for several reasons:
✔ It finalizes one of the largest restitution demands in a crypto-based cybercrime case
✔ It reinforces legal precedent for courts valuing stolen crypto at current market prices
✔ It closes a high-profile chapter in early crypto criminal history
✔ It sends a message to social-engineering attackers across the industry
Cryptocurrency theft cases have historically been complicated due to volatile prices, cross-jurisdictional flows, and mixing technologies. This ruling shows courts are increasingly willing to assign full monetary responsibility regardless of where the crypto now resides.
How the Hack Changed Twitter Forever
The 2020 attack triggered:
- A complete overhaul of Twitter’s internal admin tools
- Stricter employee access controls
- Mandatory hardware-based security keys
- Expanded monitoring of sensitive accounts
- Larger cybersecurity budgets post-Elon Musk acquisition
It also raised global alarms about the security of centralized platforms controlling public discourse.
What Happens Next?
The hacker now faces:
- A legally binding repayment schedule
- Potential extended supervision
- Additional asset seizures if the Bitcoin is not repaid
- Continued federal tracking of any crypto tied to the crime
Law enforcement agencies—including the FBI and Secret Service—have already recovered portions of the stolen BTC.
Final Thoughts
The Twitter Bitcoin scam of 2020 remains a defining moment in both social media and crypto history. With a restitution order exceeding $5 million, the U.S. justice system is making it clear: crypto crime does not simply disappear on the blockchain.
Even years later, accountability—and repayment—will find its way home.
