By James Simons-
In a dramatic turn of events that underscores both the power of social media and the reach of modern law enforcement, UK prosecutors have successfully clawed back more than £4.1 million worth of Bitcoin from Joseph James O’Connor — the 26-year-old hacker behind the notorious July 2020 Twitter breach that hijacked accounts of global figures. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed on 17 November 2025 that a civil recovery order will seize 42 Bitcoin and other crypto assets linked to the scam.
The hack that made headlines in 2020 targeted a series of high-profile Twitter (now X) accounts — including those belonging to Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Joe Biden.
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O’Connor and his co-conspirators obtained control of internal tools at Twitter, allowing them to send false posts promising that anyone who sent Bitcoin to a wallet would have their funds doubled
The scheme exploited people’s trust in celebrity accounts. Thousands fell prey to the “double your Bitcoin” ruse, sending cryptocurrency with expectations of quick, generous returns. Instead, their funds flowed into a pot controlled by O’Connor.
Though O’Connor committed these crimes in the U.S., his reach extended back to the UK — and now, in a show of cross-border collaboration, British prosecutors are making sure he does not profit from his wrongdoing. The CPS Proceeds of Crime Division secured a civil recovery order on 14 November 2025, following a property freezing order previously obtained in UK courts during his extradition
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Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS, said his team had worked “with partners in the USA and Spain” to make sure the order could be enforced abroad, preventing O’Connor from shielding his assets
A court-appointed trustee will now liquidate the seized crypto, converting the ill-gotten gains into cash. It is a rare but powerful example of how authorities can go after digital assets — even when the crime was committed overseas.
The Criminal Conviction
O’Connor was arrested in Spain in 2021 and extradited to the United States, where he entered a guilty plea in 2023 to multiple charges: computer intrusion, wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, and illegal communications. He received a five-year prison sentence for his role in the hack.
This case marks a significant moment in how UK law enforcement tackles cryptocurrency-enabled crime. The civil recovery order — distinct from a criminal conviction — allowed British authorities to seize the crypto directly, despite the fact the court case played out abroad.
The 42 Bitcoin will be converted into cash by a court-appointed trustee. Once liquidated, the funds could potentially fund victim compensation, cover court costs, or be redirected into other recovery efforts. This case may also open the door to more aggressive recovery actions across the UK. If more crypto criminals believe that their gains are traceable and recoverable, it could act as a strong deterrent.
Authorities will also keep refining their approach to crypto crime. Recovering digital assets requires new techniques, technical expertise, and cross-border coordination — all of which played out successfully in this case and will be key to tackling the next generation of cyber fraud.
Public Lessons and Investor Warnings
Experts urge users to be wary of “send-to-earn” claims, especially when they arrive from celebrity or verified accounts. Messages promising to double your Bitcoin should now be met with deep skepticism — no matter how genuine the account may look.
On the investment side, the case demonstrates the need for improved regulation and smarter self-defense. Holding crypto in private wallets, using strong security practices, and being alert for suspicious activity are becoming essential habits for anyone who holds digital currency.
The CPS has now shown that crypto crime doesn’t exist above the law. With this recovery order, they have reclaimed a staggering fortune, sending a signal that no matter how digital crime becomes, it is still very much grounded in reality — and will be prosecuted with real-world consequences.
Joseph James O’Connor may be behind bars, but his Bitcoin will not give him freedom. Thanks to international cooperation and legal innovation, millions of pounds of ill-gotten crypto assets are returning to the reach of justice.
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