Watch CBS News

Calif. Man Used Facebook To Hack Women's Emails

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- In a cautionary tale for social-networkers, a California man has admitted using personal information he gleaned from Facebook to hack into the e-mail accounts of dozens of women.
The California attorney general's office said Friday that 23-year-old George Bronk would scan the "sent" folder once he commandeered a woman's e-mail account, looking for nude or seminude photos and videos. He then would forward the pictures to the woman's entire address book.

The victims were in 17 states and Great Britain.

Bronk coerced one woman into sending him more explicit photographs by threatening to distribute the pictures he already had. One victim told authorities the intrusion felt like "virtual rape."

Bronk, who lives in a Sacramento suburb, pleaded guilty Thursday to seven felonies. He faces six years in prison.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.