Internet
A Genius Man (used the aliases “Iceman,” “Aphex,” “Darkest” and “Digits as aliases) stole credit card and identity information from thousands of people by hacking into the computers of financial institutions and credit card processing centers, Max Ray Butler, 35, of San Francisco, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on three counts of wire fraud and two counts of transferring stolen identity information. He could face up to 40 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine if convicted on all charges.
He was charged in Pittsburgh because he sold more than 100 credit card numbers and related information to a Pennsylvanian who is cooperating with the investigation, He also operated a Web site that served as an online forum for people who steal, share or use others’ credit card information illegally in a practice is known as “carding.”
The indictment charges Butler with e-mailing people about buying stolen card numbers and selling them for several hundred dollars per batch. Witnesses told agents they were present as Butler moved to various hotel rooms where he would use a high-powered antenna to intercept wireless communications. From there he allegedly hacked into financial institutions and credit card processing centers to obtain confidential card information.
