Berkeley teen hacks social media accounts, uses photos to blackmail young women: police
Hacker accessed nude photos of teenage girls, faces child porn charges, Berkeley police say
A 19-year-old man has been arrested, accused of hacking into social media accounts of more than a dozen female victims and then using their photos to blackmail them. Berkeley police say he also faces child pornography charges. The age of the victims included those as young as three-years old.
BERKELEY, Calif. - Berkeley police have arrested a 19-year-old man who is accused of hacking into the social media accounts of more than a dozen girls and young women, using their photos to blackmail them.
Investigators say at least nine of Liam Burgmann's alleged victims were students at Berkeley High, where he recently attended classes himself.
Police say there are also victims from at least a dozen other high schools in Marin and Contra Costa counties.
According to court documents, Burgmann had over 100 names, social media accounts and addresses "for the sole purpose of accessing their personal information/accounts to steal nude photographs." He is also accused of blackmailing victims for money.
"This is truly predatory behavior," said Berkeley Officer Byron White. He said police are still investigating the relationships he had with any of the young women. Police were tipped off by Berkeley High officials.
During the investigation authorities say they also found more than 130 clips and videos of child pornography in the teen's possession. Some of the children were as young as 3 years old.
He was arrested near his Berkeley Hills home on Monday.
KTVU tried to reach out to Burgmann or his family. A man at Burgmann's home came to the front door and shook his head before walking away.
Burgmann has not yet entered a plea.
He is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. His bail was set at $220,000 dollars.His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 25.