A Best Buy worker in Georgia allegedly permitted the theft of dozens of PlayStation 5 consoles, claiming a hacking group coerced him through blackmail. Police remain skeptical of the story because the employee could not provide basic details about the hackers or even his own email address.
A Best Buy employee in Savannah, Georgia, is facing scrutiny after more than 40 PlayStation 5 consoles were taken from his store under highly suspicious circumstances. Dorian Allen, age 20, is accused of allowing a series of customers to exit the building with the expensive electronics without paying for them. Security footage from the month of December reportedly captured Allen watching as more than a dozen individuals walked out of the store with the merchandise.
When confronted by law enforcement, Allen claimed that his actions were not a result of a theft ring he joined willingly, but rather the result of a targeted blackmail campaign. He informed the Savannah Police Department that an anonymous hacking group had gained possession of private, sensitive photographs he had previously posted on social media. According to the official police report, Allen felt he had no choice but to comply with the group's demands to avoid the release of those images.
The logistics of the alleged scheme involved a high level of coordination between the hackers and the shoplifters. Allen told investigators that the group would send him specific instructions via email, including physical descriptions and clothing details of the individuals he was supposed to let pass. In several instances captured on camera, the employee went beyond simply ignoring the theft and actively assisted the individuals by helping them load the stolen gaming consoles into their vehicles.
Despite the elaborate explanation, authorities have pointed out several major inconsistencies in the employee's story. When police asked for the name of the hacking group or any identifying information about the people involved, Allen was unable to provide any details. Most notably, the police report highlights that while Allen claimed the hackers contacted him through his personal email account, he was unable to tell the officers what his own email address was during the interview.
The investigation into the missing inventory continues as police weigh the possibility that the blackmail story was entirely fabricated to mask a standard internal theft operation. While the PlayStation 5s represent a significant financial loss for the retailer, the focus remains on whether there is any digital evidence to support the claim of a hacking group's involvement. For now, the lack of verifiable evidence has left the worker's defense on shaky ground.
Source: Hackers Allegedly Blackmail Best Buy Employee In PS5 Theft Spree