The Guardian long read archive revisits a 2021 piece about Edwin Robbe, a troubled teenager who found excitement and purpose by joining an audacious community of hackers, only to have the real world catch up with his online activities.
From Troubled Teen to Hacker
Edwin Robbe had a difficult life, but discovered a sense of belonging and thrill in the world of hacking. He became part of a group that engaged in audacious cyber exploits, finding an escape from his personal struggles.
The Real World Intervenes
Eventually, the consequences of his online actions caught up with him. The article, written by Huib Modderkool and read by Aaron Vodovoz, details how Robbe's involvement in cybercrime led to a collision with law enforcement and the harsh realities of the offline world.
This is an edited extract from There’s a War On But No One Can See It, published by Bloomsbury and available at guardianbookshop.co.uk. The photograph is by Getty Images | Schedivy Pictures Inc., with Guardian Design.
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