Former Hacker Back with Fresh Hacking Charge

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania resident Van T. Dinh faced legal accusation with two instances of hacking into computers on March 27, 2009 over charges that he invaded the security of an Internet currency exchange facility prior to apparently trying to move $110,000 to a financial account he controlled.

The accused apparently made the transfers in two lots in December 2008, following Dinh's alleged infiltration into the admin systems of the company. A further accusation on Dinh is that he utilized this unauthorized access to trade currency involving a pair of accounts of third-party customers and to attempt at moving $140,000 into either of the two accounts.

Meanwhile, the FBI found that the secret transactions originated from Dinh's Pennsylvania home. Although the alleged scam caused loss of $5,000 to its victim in recovery and restoration, the scam was spotted prior to the actual transfer of any money.

Besides, Dinh had earlier served prison for 13 months in connection of a stock-market scam. When 19-years-old, Dinh was identified as the first individual to face legal charges of attempts to steal identity via computer hacking under the US law. Being stranded with worthless stock derivatives valuing $90,000, Dinh who was then a university student created a Trojan that he subsequently promoted as a tool to analyze stock markets.

Dinh, with this malware, seized the login information of a co-stock trader and through the hijacked accounts, he purchased a portion of his options valued $37,000.

Nonetheless, it appears that despite spending time in jail, the hacker hardly changed his behavior. According to Wired, Dinh, after the 2003 stock program, wrote in his periodical that he was so proud about his hacking activities that he would never regret. He also wrote that he considered himself to be the most accomplished Trickster who often laughs when his mother says that she feels worried. Over and above, he proudly wrote that even if he has to go to prison, he would learn something there, as reported by SOFTPEDIA on April 1, 2009.

Meanwhile Dinh is held back, with hearings still pending, due to the g=fear that he might hack again if released.

Related article: Former Council Intern Charged with Intruding City E-mail

» SPAMfighter News - 4/6/2009