Youth Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for DraftKings Cyber Fraud

In a significant development, Joseph Garrison, a 19-year-old cybercriminal, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his involvement in a cyber fraud scheme targeting DraftKings Sportsbook accounts. This incident not only highlights the vulnerability of online gaming platforms but also emphasizes the need for stringent cybersecurity measures.

Garrison was part of a group that carried out a credential surfing attack, exploiting vulnerabilities in the DraftKings system. They managed to steal a staggering $600,000 from the accounts of DraftKings users whose login credentials had previously been compromised in other data breaches. Shockingly, Garrison boasted to his friends about the cyberattack, considering it a form of entertainment.

More than 1,600 sports betting accounts were compromised as a result of this cyberattack. Beyond the financial loss, it eroded confidence in DraftKings' ability to safeguard its customers' data. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the importance of collective efforts in combating cyber threats and protecting digital integrity, underscoring the severity of the crime.

Apart from the prison sentence, Garrison must pay $1.3 million in restitution and $175,000 in forfeiture. This case is not Garrison's only legal trouble, as he is also facing charges in Wisconsin related to Bitcoin use in a school bomb threat incident.

Two of Garrison's alleged co-conspirators, Nathan Austad and Kamerin Stokes, have also been arrested and arraigned. Stokes allegedly paid Garrison to gain access to DraftKings Sportsbook accounts, which were then resold online. Austad, on the other hand, used artificial intelligence to promote stolen user accounts and managed cryptocurrency wallets involved in various cyberattacks. Both now face the risk of up to 20 years in prison due to their alleged participation in the conspiracy.