Hacker from New Zealand escapes penalty

ePaymentsNews Network

A 19-year-old New Zealander called Owen Thor Walker was accused of designing software to steal millions of dollars from bank accounts. He has escaped conviction, although he pleaded guilty and he may be offered a job by the police, as the latter are interested in using the hacker’s knowledge in the fight against cybercrime.

Owen Thor Walker was arrested in November 2007 because he was accused of leading a hacking gang that stole USD 24 million from victims worldwide. He designed software which was used by the gang to install malicious software on computers and steal usernames, passwords and credit card details.

According to the New Zealand police, Walker was hired by the gang to design the software to be used to access people’s bank accounts. He did not directly take money from people’s bank accounts. The police are interested in using the hacker’s knowledge in the fight against cybercrime and thus, he may be offered a job within this institution.

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