Threat Management

Brigham Young University-Idaho student hacks transcript, earns $7k in scholarships

A Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU) student broke into his school's computer system to alter his grades and ultimately use his altered transcript to receive thousands of dollars in academic scholarships.

Jacob Mahonri Espinal, 24, was failing his classes and on academic probation when he broken into BYU's system to change his grades to straight As, the Associated Press reported.  His altered college transcript then led to him obtaining $7,000 in academic scholarships.

Espinal is being charged with two counts of computer fraud and one count of grand theft. He was being held in Madison County Jail on $50,000 bond earlier this week.

The 24-year-old sent his altered transcript to BYU in Provo, Utah, LDS Business College and the University of Utah.

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