Federal agents arrest six hackers in cyberspace sting
Article Abstract:
The US Secret Service arrested six computer hackers in an ingenious sting operation that used cyberspace to purchase illegally obtained cellular phone numbers and equipment from the crime ring. The Secret Service began the sting by creating an anonymous bulletin board in Jan 1995. The federal agents then presented the bulletin board, called Celco 51, as a secret place were hackers, credit-card and cell-phone thieves could trade secrets, conduct business and share information. A group on the bulletin board posted information about selling stolen cell-phone numbers and cell-phone cloning equipment. A Secret Service agent, using the cyber alias 'Carder One', agreed to purchase the materials. The six defendants were tracked down by using phone numbers that they provided to the Secret Service. The thieves had stolen cell-phone numbers from large corporate accounts. The cellular telephone service industry estimates that stolen numbers account for $1 billion in fraudulent calls.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
AT&T's heir apparent jumps to a tiny firm that offers huge pay; Mandl faced a long wait for top job, saw others who left get rich fast; A $20 million signing bonus
Article Abstract:
AT&T Pres Alex J. Mandl has left the company and taken a position with Associated Communications LLC, where he will head their unit offering wireless spectrum services. Mandl was expected to become AT&T's next chairman, but he evidently decided that position would require too long a wait. Associated Communications is a Washington, DC-based private company that is employing wireless microwave communications technology. The line-of-sight technology requires the placement of rooftop antennas throughout a calling area. The technology is subject to weather-related problems, but is currently being tested in New York, Philadelphia and Washington. Mandl was paid a $20 million signing bonus and will receive a salary of $1 million per year as well as an equity stake that will eventually be the third-largest in the company. He will also receive 18% of any increases in the company's market value.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: No big deal? PCS is coming. And there may be a lot less to it than you've been led to believe. Court grants stay delaying PCS auction; ruling seen as major blow to set-aside program for minorities, women
- Abstracts: Phone price wars may be far from over; long distance firms face challenge from bells. Avoiding the toll: the Baby Bells say that if their access fees fall, local phone rates will rise. Are they bluffing?