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Unpacking Your Life
Unpacking Your Life

Exploring the crossroads of life, security, and self.

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Unpacking Your Life

Exploring the crossroads of life, security, and self.

UNDERMINED: The $31.5 Million SIM Swap That Changed My Life Forever

Posted on May 7, 2025June 6, 2025 By UPL Admin

In December 2020, everything I knew was upended in a matter of minutes.

It started like any other day, until my phone suddenly lost service. What I didn’t know then was that I had become the target of a highly coordinated SIM swap attack—one of the most devastating and personal forms of cybercrime. Within hours, hackers had exploited a loophole in mobile carrier systems, seized control of my digital life, and drained over 500 Bitcoin and other digital assets from my accounts. The value at the time? $31.5 million.

The impact wasn’t just financial—it was deeply personal. I was thrust into a battle against faceless criminals, opaque systems, and the very infrastructure we rely on to protect us. What followed was a harrowing journey of investigation, resilience, and reflection. How could something like this happen? Where were the safeguards? And how many others are just one SMS away from losing everything?

This isn’t just a story about crypto or cybercrime. It’s a reckoning—with trust, technology, and our own sense of control in a connected world.

This is the story of how I was UNDERMINED.

Watch the full video here to learn how it happened—and why it matters now more than ever.

You can buy the book on Amazon

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I’m a work in progress, constantly learning from the path behind me while keeping an open heart for what’s ahead. Life rarely goes as planned—but that’s where the best parts happen.
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ex-Microsoft. There is life on the other side...

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18073166726716123
ex-Microsoft. There is life on the other side...

Live your best life every day 😎

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18182432713415658
Live your best life every day 😎

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Instagram post 18108655963915624

This weekend was a quick trip to our place in Arkansas. I needed to replace some shingles on the roof. I burned my butt through the jeans. Brandi arranged it so I had enough time to replace the exhaust on my 996 on Monday night.

For some reason this trip she took lots of pictures of me. Weird.

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18088695899208348
This weekend was a quick trip to our place in Arkansas. I needed to replace some shingles on the roof. I burned my butt through the jeans. Brandi arranged it so I had enough time to replace the exhaust on my 996 on Monday night. 

For some reason this trip she took lots of pictures of me. Weird.

To end our trip last Saturday we had drinks at the Golden Gai, then dinner at The Mayfair Supper Club. A fitting end to a very special weekend with my very special lady. Happy Birthday Brandi.

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18136830487621879
To end our trip last Saturday we had drinks at the Golden Gai, then dinner at The Mayfair Supper Club. A fitting end to a very special weekend with my very special lady. Happy Birthday Brandi.

Happy Birthday to my lovely wife @brandioakes. Fun fact we have been married for 26 years and together for 30. Thanks for being my person, and thank you for always being supportive regardless of how crazy the idea ends up being. Love you 😎

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18463151887188424
Happy Birthday to my lovely wife @brandioakes. Fun fact we have been married for 26 years and together for 30. Thanks for being my person, and thank you for always being supportive regardless of how crazy the idea ends up being. Love you 😎

Saturday morning at the track. New personal best. Arte Mesuem. Spending time with @brandioakes priceless.

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18408128446083648
Saturday morning at the track. New personal best. Arte Mesuem. Spending time with @brandioakes priceless.

Friday evening dinner at Giada... Excellent food and service. White people in a driving shopping cart. Absinthe. Great show. Not for everyone.

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Open post by chopperbriano with ID 18082167467312747
Friday evening dinner at Giada... Excellent food and service. White people in a driving shopping cart. Absinthe. Great show. Not for everyone.
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If you never think you’d be a target, you’re a target.

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— Brian Oakes (@chopperbrian) September 21, 2024
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