Department store ID theft case 40M cards stolen
September 19, 2008 – 2:29 pm11 arrested on one of the largest identity theft Cases Ever. The 11 were responsible for hacking nine U.S. retail locations with a lose of 40 million credit cards and debit card numbers. The charges brought up on the 11 include conspiracy, computer intrusion, fraud and identity theft.
The accused hacked their way into the wireless networks of department stores and installed software that would record sensitive information including credit cards, debit cards, passwords and account information. They hid the information on their own server that they controlled from the US or Europe.
The 11 sold the information or used it themselves to fund their endeavor. They have caused loses not only for the victims of the ID theft but also for the banks and department stores and the credit card companies. Of the 11 there were 3 U.S. citizens, 3 from Ukraine, 2 from china, 1 from Estonia and 1 is only know as an online alias “Delpiero”. The accused leader of this group of criminals was Albert Gonzales of Miami. He was charged with Computer fraud and wire fraud among others.
The Companies that were involved included TJX , BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW.
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Tags: , Department, Hackers, id, Stores, Theft
