Edward Coristine, known by his nickname “Big Balls,” a key member of Elon Musk’s DOGE Service team, provided technical support to a cybercrime group involved in illegal activities, including cyberstalking and data trafficking, according to digital records reviewed by Reuters.
Coristine’s Role in DiamondCDN and EGodly
Coristine, a 19-year-old technologist, founded a company named DiamondCDN around 2022, which offered network services. The company was linked to EGodly, a cybercrime ring that boasted about engaging in criminal activities such as stealing data and cyberstalking law enforcement officials. Digital records show that between October 2022 and June 2023, DiamondCDN’s infrastructure was used to support EGodly’s website, dataleak.fun, which was involved in cybercrimes. EGodly publicly thanked DiamondCDN for providing them with DDoS protection and caching systems.
Connection to Government Agencies
Despite these associations, Coristine has been recognized for his work with U.S. government agencies. He is listed as a “senior adviser” at the State Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His name also appears in their staff directories, raising concerns about his involvement in securing government networks despite his previous ties to cybercriminals. Coristine describes himself as a “Volunteer (Intern) Plumber” with the U.S. government on his LinkedIn profile.
EGodly’s Cybercrimes and FBI Targeting
EGodly, the group with which Coristine’s company had ties, was known for a variety of cybercrimes, including hijacking phone numbers, breaking into law enforcement email accounts, and stealing cryptocurrency. The group also posted personal information about an FBI agent they targeted for harassment. The group’s members were reportedly involved in the dangerous practice of swatting, which involves making hoax emergency calls to send armed officers to targeted locations. Law enforcement has been aware of EGodly’s activities due to its connection to cybercrime and swatting incidents.
Concerns Over National Security
Nitin Natarajan, former deputy director of CISA, expressed concern over the potential risks posed by Coristine’s past associations with EGodly, noting that it is troubling for someone with such connections to hold a position in government security. This raises questions about the vetting process and the broader implications of such individuals gaining access to sensitive government networks.