Arrests in Epic Cyber Swindle

A trio of alleged cyber criminals responsible for allegedly stealing 130 million credit and debit cards in the U.S.'s largest hacking and identity-theft stunt have been indicted. The Wall Street Journal reports that 28-year-old Albert Gonzalez and two Russians have been indicted for gaining unauthorized access to computers, computer fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The trio allegedly hacked five major companies, including Hannaford Bros. supermarkets, 7-Eleven, and the credit card processor Heartland Payment Systems. In 2003 Gonzalez was arrested for allegedly siphoning 40 million additional credit card numbers from TJX Cos., costing its parent company, TJ Maxx about $200 million, but authorities let him go when he agreed to become a Secret Service informant. He is also awaiting trial for allegedly attempting to hack the national restaurant chain Dave & Buster's Inc.