"John Binns, a 21-year-old American who moved to Turkey a few years ago"
I'm assuming it is the Turkey thing, probably counting on that to be a significant barrier. Yes they have extradition but I've also heard that Turkish authorities are quite amenable to bribes as well.
> Yes they have extradition but I've also heard that Turkish authorities are quite amenable to bribes as well
Turkey is also a NATO member. If T-Mobile can get the U.S. government to plead their case, that could generate serious impetus for action from the top.
Also, if you're in a country whose officials take bribes, advertising that you're (a) vulnerable and (b) potentially in possession of cash is dangerous.
> I've also heard that Turkish authorities are quite amenable to bribes as well.
If the dude is banking on this, the major issue is that the Turkish authorities may be quite amenable to bribes from anyone indeed. Subsequently, my wager is that both TMobile and many among the 50M whose details were stolen have far deeper pockets than hacker exhibit A.
In other words, the dude must be absolutely certain that government corruption can only go well for him. In the US, he'd "only" go to prison if the system wants to make an example out of him. In a place where anyone can be bribed to do anything, the sky is the limit.
Bribes often get more bang for your buck from the bottom up. A big bribe from T-mobile to the Turkish government can be less effective than a small bribe to the two field agents who are sent out to scoop him up.
What would Tmobile or those whose details have already been leaked have to gain from going after the guy now? The information is already out there, is it not?
Well, the first thing that springs to mind is to make an example out of him to discourage others trying to pull similar stunts.
Second, if the dude manages to make any appreciable sum out of selling the data, the corrupt officials may come by with the proverbial $5 wrench and encourage him to share the spoils for continued protection and avoidance of wrench induced bruising.
It could even simply be a matter of harrassment by the Turkish government because existing bribes are suddenly, say, insufficient. Under penalty of prison, of course.
Unless he gets a cushy gov't cybersec job from all this, which is another angle I have just considered.
"John Binns, a 21-year-old American who moved to Turkey a few years ago"
I'm assuming it is the Turkey thing, probably counting on that to be a significant barrier. Yes they have extradition but I've also heard that Turkish authorities are quite amenable to bribes as well.