Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Turbulent Romance

In a distressing tale of betrayal, an amateur hacker sought revenge on his ex-girlfriend, twisting the justice system to create a nightmarish reality for her.

JK, a 24-year-old who embarked on her journey in the insurance sector at a Bankers Life branch in Maryland in June 2015, formed a close bond with a coworker, Ahmad Kazzelbach, aged 23, who guided her through her new role. Their relationship quickly blossomed into romance, leading them to cohabitate by December. However, the joy was short-lived as JK soon discovered Kazzelbach's infidelity, prompting him to move out and the relationship to dissolve.

Over the following year, Kazzelbach unleashed a vindictive campaign against JK, manipulating the legal system to ensnare her in a web of deceit. His gaslighting tactics were shockingly sophisticated, making it nearly impossible for JK to defend herself. The harrowing details emerged in a comprehensive criminal complaint, revealing how devastating a breakup can become in our technologically advanced world. Although Kazzelbach is not a seasoned hacker, his actions illustrate how easily personal information can be weaponized to confound law enforcement.

The U.S. government prosecuted its inaugural hacking case in 1989. Now, with approximately 300,000 cyberattacks reported annually, experts believe less than 1% of perpetrators face prosecution. Security is elusive; even federal court records are susceptible. While many have heard of vengeful exes hacking into accounts—like the NASA astronaut accused of accessing her ex-wife's bank account from space—few have employed such malicious strategies as Kazzelbach.

JK and Kazzelbach's relationship officially ended in May 2016. By July, JK noticed her Yahoo account had been tampered with; her password was changed. When she attempted to access her Instagram, she found her username altered to "Jvvwhore," a derogatory play on her name. Her Facebook account displayed a message accusing her of stealing Kazzelbach's boyfriend.

Suspecting foul play, JK reached out to the Anne Arundel County Police Department to report the hacking, suspecting Kazzelbach's new partner. However, the police could not identify a suspect, and the harassment persisted. Kazzelbach's actions escalated, as he infiltrated her apartment—an act that led to his brief incarceration and subsequent resignation from Bankers Life.

Things escalated further when, on September 30, 2016, JK received a chilling text from an unknown number in Florida: "Prepare yourself for what's coming…the last 3 months were just the beginning. I have bigger plans for you…I love how easily manipulated you can be."

Chapter 2: A Disturbing Pattern of Manipulation

In December, Kazzelbach sought a protective order against JK in Maryland state court, falsely accusing her of physical abuse and threats. Though JK denied the allegations, the court mandated no contact. Kazzelbach then reported her for violating the order, resulting in JK's arrest.

While JK languished in jail, Kazzelbach continued to manipulate the situation, documenting supposed harassment with fabricated evidence, leading to JK's repeated arrests. Over the next year, Kazzelbach would report her multiple times for violations, resulting in at least six arrest warrants based on his claims.

The situation only unraveled when Baltimore detectives initiated their own investigation into Kazzelbach's actions. They found inconsistencies in his accounts and began to suspect foul play on his part. During a joint interview with the FBI, Kazzelbach was evasive, refusing a forensic search of his phone.

Instead, investigators examined call records and discovered no communication between JK and Kazzelbach on the dates he claimed. A review of JK's phone revealed no texts or emails sent to Kazzelbach. This led them to explore the concept of "spoofing," a method allowing individuals to send messages disguised as someone else. Kazzelbach admitted to visiting a spoofing site, raising further suspicions.

Authorities eventually traced a bogus Yahoo account created in JK's name back to Kazzelbach, revealing a pattern of deceit that led to the dismissal of all charges against JK. In November, Kazzelbach faced federal charges for cyberstalking and computer intrusion, with potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison.