[Dataloss] TJX (and others) data breach "hackers" charged by US Justice Dept

[Henry Brown]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/08/eleven_charged.html

Eleven charged in hacking ring that allegedly stole 40 million card numbers
By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

Eleven people from at least five different countries are facing charges 
for their involvement in a wide-ranging scheme to hack into nine US 
companies and steal and sell more than 40 million credit and debit card 
numbers, federal law enforcement officials said today in Boston.

"As far as we know, this is the single largest and most complex identity 
theft case that's ever been charged in this country," Attorney General 
Michael Mukasey said. Officials said the ring had stolen hundreds of 
millions of dollars.

Three of the defendants are US citizens, one is from Estonia, three are 
from Ukraine, two are from China, and one is from Belarus, the US 
attorney's office in Boston said. The 11th defendant is known only by an 
online alias.

A grand jury indictment handed up today in Boston charges that Albert 
"Segvec" Gonzalez of Miami and his conspirators began by "wardriving" -- 
or driving around and looking to eavesdrop on wireless networks. They 
then allegedly hacked into the wireless networks of TJX, BJ's Wholesale 
Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Dave & Buster's, Sports 
Authority, Forever 21, and DSW.
[...]

Two other Miami residents were charged in Boston, while eight other 
people were charged in San Diego.

[...]