Imagine waking up to find your fortune gone—vanished in a sophisticated cyber heist. For Brian Oakes, this nightmare became a reality when a SIM swap attack drained his cryptocurrency accounts of over 500 Bitcoin and other digital assets, worth a staggering $31.5 million. His story, now told in his book Undermined, is not just about financial loss—it’s about the fight for justice, the vulnerabilities in the digital finance world, and the resilience required to rebuild.

Oakes’ journey into cryptocurrency started with a childhood fascination—gold panning. That passion evolved into Bitcoin mining, where he became an early adopter in the digital asset space. His success, however, made him a prime target for cybercriminals. In a SIM swap attack, hackers exploited weaknesses in his cell phone carrier’s security, gaining access to his accounts and wiping out his digital fortune.

“I watched them drain everything,” Oakes recalls in Undermined. “And then telling my wife Brandi was the hardest part—until her breast cancer diagnosis.”

Determined not to be just another victim, Oakes embarked on a legal battle against his cell service provider, exposing corporate negligence and the dangers lurking in the digital world. His case highlights the challenges of holding major corporations accountable for security failures that leave consumers vulnerable.

While fighting to reclaim his stolen assets, Oakes faced an even more devastating battle—his wife Brandi’s breast cancer diagnosis. Confronted with both emotional and financial turmoil, he found himself at a crossroads: let adversity define him or use it as fuel to fight back.

Through Undermined, Oakes shares a deeply personal narrative of loss, resilience, and determination. His story is not just about the perils of digital finance but also about the power of perseverance and family strength in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Part financial thriller, part cautionary tale, Undermined is more than a memoir—it’s a call to action. Oakes takes readers through his evolution from a self-proclaimed computer nerd to a successful IT engineer and cryptocurrency miner, only to see it all disappear overnight.

“This book isn’t just about Bitcoin or hackers,” Oakes says. “It’s about how quickly everything can be taken from you when technology and human error collide. It’s about fighting back—against corporate negligence, against an invisible enemy, and against the doubts that creep in when everything you’ve built is gone.”

Undermined serves as a wake-up call for anyone navigating the digital world. Whether you’re a cryptocurrency investor, cybersecurity professional, or simply someone who values online security, this book offers invaluable lessons on protecting digital assets, legal battles, and rebuilding after loss.

Undermined is now available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.


About Brian Oakes

Brian Oakes is a network engineer, early cryptocurrency miner, and cybersecurity advocate. Known as the go-to “fixer” in IT, he became a pioneer in Bitcoin mining before the cryptocurrency boom. Today, Oakes is a sought-after speaker and cybersecurity expert, using his personal story to educate businesses and individuals on digital security, consumer protection, and resilience in the face of cyber threats.