Alleged Mastermind in Biggest-Ever ID-Theft Prosecution Faces 2 Other Cases
The claimed 28-year-old mastermind indicted this week in a hack attack on retailers described as the biggest identity theft case ever prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice has allegedly been busy, very busy.
In addition to his alleged involvement in the 130 million or so consumer data thefts from 7-Eleven and other retailers, Albert Gonzalez is also facing criminal charges in two additional cases. He is accused of involvement in hack attacks on the Dave & Busters restaurant chain and TJX Cos., the Boston Globe reports.
At one point, Gonzalez was an informant for the U.S. Secret Service, helping the feds put the finger on hackers. But then he switched sides, authorities say.
“The scope is massive,’’ says Assistant U.S. Attorney Erez Liebermann of Newark, where the latest case against Gonzalez is being pursued. “This guy worked very, very hard at something he was very good at.’’
A lawyer for Gonzalez could not be reached for comment, the newspaper says.
Earlier related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “3 Indicted in Biggest Hacking and ID Theft Case Ever Brought by DOJ”
ABAJournal.com: “Free Monitoring for Buyers, $6.5M for Lawyers in Massive TJX Data Breach Case”
