Idriss Qibaa, known by aliases such as “Dani” and “Unlocked,” faces federal charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a social media hacking and extortion scheme. Authorities have charged him with two felony counts for violating interstate communications laws through threats made in text messages to victims and their families.
Qibaa, who reportedly operated the hacking site Unlocked4Life.com, first came under scrutiny following a tip received by the FBI on April 1, 2024. This tip was linked to his appearance on the No Jumper podcast, where he detailed his illegal activities.
The criminal complaint against Qibaa was filed on July 25, 2024, and he appeared in court for the first time shortly thereafter. During his No Jumper podcast appearance, Qibaa described a scheme where he would lock victims out of their social media accounts and demand payment to restore access.
He claimed to make approximately $600,000 monthly from these activities and bragged about employing security guards for his protection. His method involved not only extortion but also public humiliation and exposure of his victims.
Qibaa’s threats were severe and personal, targeting both the victims and their families. For example, he allegedly threatened J.T., a victim who initially declined to pay for a username, by blocking his Instagram accounts and demanding a ransom.
Qibaa also reportedly threatened to involve child protective services and other legal authorities against J.T., showcasing the depth of his intimidation tactics. Such threats extended beyond J.T., affecting other victims and demonstrating a pattern of aggressive behavior.
Another victim, identified as E.H., a journalist and comedian, experienced similar threats after Qibaa blocked their Instagram account. E.H. received demands for $20,000 and threats to release their Social Security number if the payment was not made.
Despite legal efforts such as restraining orders, Qibaa continued to harass his victims, including issuing violent threats and boasting about his willingness to face severe legal consequences if his demands were not met.
The podcast host, Adam22, expressed mixed feelings about Qibaa’s actions, acknowledging his entrepreneurial spirit but condemning the unethical nature of his scheme. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the threats and the scale of Qibaa’s alleged criminal operations, highlighting the broader issue of online extortion and cybercrime.
