The James Altucher Show

Inside the Mind of a Cybercriminal: The Original Internet Godfather Shares His Story | Brett Johnson

Episode Summary

Brett Johnson committed tax fraud and credit card fraud from a desk inside the FBI offices for almost a year before going on a cross-country crime spree, stealing $600,000 in four months, making the US Most Wanted list, going to Disney World, getting sent to prison AND THEN ESCAPING! But let's back up… In today's episode of The James Altucher Show, we sit down with Brett Johnson, a man who has lived a double life. Once the leader of ShadowCrew & Counterfeit Library - precursors to the modern dark web - he's now a sought-after cybersecurity expert and consultant, using his insider knowledge of the criminal underworld to help organizations defend themselves against cyber threats.

Episode Notes

Brett Johnson committed tax fraud and credit card fraud from a desk inside the FBI offices for almost a year before going on a cross-country crime spree, stealing $600,000 in four months, making the US Most Wanted list, going to Disney World, getting sent to prison AND THEN ESCAPING! But let's back up…

In today's episode of The James Altucher Show, we sit down with Brett Johnson, a man who has lived a double life. Once the leader of ShadowCrew & Counterfeit Library - precursors to the modern dark web - he's now a sought-after cybersecurity expert and consultant, using his insider knowledge of the criminal underworld to help organizations defend themselves against cyber threats.

Brett takes us on a wild ride through his upbringing at the hands of manipulative criminal parents, his rise through the burgeoning world of cybercrime and social engineering beginning with mid-'90s eBay fraud, and how his yearning for love and acceptance concluded with his arrest by federal law enforcement.

Instead of continuing down the path of criminal activity, Brett has found a way to use his expertise to make the digital world a safer place for all of us. Redemption is possible. No matter what mistakes you've made in the past, it's never too late to turn your life around and use your skills for good.

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