Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008

NZ Teen Hacker Pleads Guilty

Owen Thor Walker, a teen hacker from New Zealand, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to his role in an worldwide internet crime ring.

18-year-old Walker admitted to six different charges of using computers for illegal purposes, including accessing a computer for dishonest purposes, possession of software for committing crime, and accessing computer systems without authorisation.

Police allege that Walker was the ringleader of an international group of criminals who hacked into over one million computer systems and skimmed over £10 million from personal bank accounts.

The teenager from Hamilton, a city on New Zealand’s south island, has been in custody since November. He was detained following Operation Bot Roast II, a worldwide operation by the FBI, which aimed to clampdown on botnets. A botnet is a network of hacked computers that can be controlled remotely over the internet, allowing them to be used to distribute spam, viruses and for other illicit purposes.

Walker is thought to have Asperger’s syndrome, a neurobiological disorder that causes bad behaviour and deficiencies in social skills. Most Asperger’s patients excel in certain areas and Walker was no exception; he managed to write software that was so successful, it could evade most anti-spyware software. Walker sold this software to a number of criminals worldwide, which is how the money fraud occurred.

Walker has been remanded on bail until 28 May, which is when he will be sentenced. Although several of the charges that Walker has admitted to carry maximum prison terms of five years', Judge Arthur Tompkins is not thought to be considering a prison sentence. This is because the 18-year old was underage when the offences were committed and he has cooperated fully with police since his arrest.

Source:

Guardian

BBC