Crime
Thai Immigration Arrest Hacker Wanted by the FBI
BANGKOK – An Algerian computer hacker wanted by the FBI for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from American banks to fund a lavish lifestyle has been arrested in Bangkok, Thai police said Monday.
Immigration police Chief Lt. Gen. Panu Kerdlarppol says Hamza Bendelladj was arrested Sunday night during a layover at Thailand’s main international airport while traveling to Egypt from Malaysia.
Panu said Monday that police confiscated from Bendelladj two laptops, one tablet computer, a satellite phone and a number of external hard drives.
Panu said U.S. authorities believe the 24-year-old suspect hacked private accounts in more than 217 banks and financial companies worldwide, causing about $10 million in losses per transaction.
Hamza Bendelladj, 24, appeared unruffled by his looming extradition to the United States as he was paraded before the media in handcuffs with a beaming smile.
“When asked what he did with the money, he said he spent it on travelling and a luxurious life like flying first class and staying in luxury places,” Immigration Police chief Phanu Kerdlabphol told reporters.
The FBI has been tracing the computer science graduate for three years after he began hacking into US banks at the age of 20, Phanu said.
“He said he had hacked several US banks and once he hacked a bank with a transaction of 10 million dollars,” he added.
Bendelladj was detained at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday after arriving from Malaysia for a connecting flight to Cairo.
