Find notable cyber news and cases, enriched with sources, timelines, and signals.
Home Watchlists Beta Browse News Feed Stats About Contact

Michael Smith guilty plea in streaming royalty fraud case

Law Enforcement
First reported
Last updated
Happening score
H score 27
1 unique sources, 1 articles

Summary

Hide ▲

Michael Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a streaming royalty fraud case that diverted more than $10 million in royalty payments. The scheme used AI-generated songs, bot accounts, and VPNs to inflate plays on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. He agreed to forfeit $8,091,843.64 and faces up to 5 years in prison.

Related Happenings

Tyler Robert Buchanan guilty plea in Scattered Spider crypto-theft case

Law Enforcement
H score26 First: 20.04.2026 16:33 Last: 20.04.2026 16:33 Sources 1

About this happening: Tyler Robert Buchanan pleaded guilty in the United States in a Scattered Spider cybercrime case, increasing his criminal exposure for wire fraud and aggravat...

Open Happening

Amitoj Kapoor and Siddharth Lillaney federal arrest and indictment for online gambling fraud

Law Enforcement
H score19 First: 09.02.2026 13:41 Last: 09.02.2026 13:41 Sources 1

About this happening: Amitoj Kapoor and Siddharth Lillaney were arrested and indicted in a federal online gambling fraud case, escalating their exposure over an alleged $3 million s...

Open Happening

Timeline

  1. 20.03.2026 11:33 2 articles · 3mo ago

    Michael Smith guilty plea in streaming royalty fraud case

    Initial Disclosure

    Federal prosecutors secured a guilty plea from Michael Smith in a streaming royalty fraud case built on fake plays and diverted royalties. The matter now moves toward sentencing after the September 2024 charge.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab