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After Extorting Apple and Being Convicted, Kerem Albayrak Rebuilt His Career and Today Fights Financial Fraud Globally
In 2017, Kerem Albayrak gained notoriety in the world of technology. At 22 years old, he managed to breach Apple’s security systems and access data from over 200 million users. The action quickly drew the attention of authorities and the media.
According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Albayrak led a group of hackers known as “The Turkish Family.” He sent an email to Apple claiming that he had hacked into between 250 and 300 million iCloud accounts belonging to iPhone and iPad users.
The Extortion Attempt on Apple
In the email sent, Albayrak demanded 75,000 dollars in cryptocurrencies, equivalent to R$ 423,000 at the time. Alternatively, he requested 100,000 dollars in iTunes gift cards. Shortly after, he changed his demands and started asking for 100,000 dollars in cash.
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Despite the threats, Apple did not comply. The company preferred to report the case to British authorities. As a result, the investigation progressed quickly, leading to Albayrak’s arrest.
Arrest and Conviction
The hacker was brought to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the UK. According to Bloomberg, in 2019, Albayrak pleaded guilty to blackmail and two other crimes related to obstructing access to computer equipment.
The sentence given was two years in prison, along with 300 hours of unpaid work. As part of the conviction, he also received a curfew and was prohibited from accessing computer networks.
New Professional Chance
Despite the criminal record, Kerem Albayrak found a new opportunity years later. In 2023, the site Applesfera reported that he was hired by OPAC Global, a company specializing in investigation and the fight against financial fraud. Albayrak took on the role of business director.
In his new role, he emphasized the importance of transparency and cooperation with authorities. “Transparency is the foundation upon which trust and collaboration are built. We will work side by side with authorities to combat financial fraud,” he stated.
According to him, the sharing of information is essential for effective investigations and asset recovery.
International Expansion of OPAC Global
Albayrak’s work at OPAC Global did not stop. As reported by PR Newswire, in early 2025, the company opened new offices in Tel Aviv, expanding its global reach.
With the expansion, OPAC Global began providing consultancy to major financial centers such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. Thus, Kerem Albayrak’s journey shows an impressive turnaround: from a convicted hacker to an executive fighting financial fraud.
With information from Xataka.
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