Slashdot Mirror
I Was a Cybercrook for the FBI
Hoi Polloi writes "Wired News has a series starting on internet crime. The first piece they have up covers the story of a cybercrook who specialized in credit card fraud. Caught in a sting operation in November of 2002, the man who identified himself as 'El Mariachi' on message boards would lead a double life for the next two years working for the FBI. As he reported on credit card scammers, dodged his former associates, and stopped criminals from defrauding the 2004 presidential campaign, he also tried to keep his life together. A fascinating tale that looks at the face of modern crime, and crime-stopping techniques."
you didn't do a day in the slammer
...
Next time you might want to read the whole FA:
Thomas began his work for the FBI five months after his Issaquah arrest and after serving three months in jail.
Then, two months later Taylor was jailed in Colorado on new charges unrelated to the Issaquah bust. He served eleven months before being released in May 2004.
But the question is: who get's busted?
I have read a very lengthy (and officially verified) report from a ex-famous hacker of years ago, who had a very different experience than this fellow. He was locked up in low security for a long time with other non-violent criminals, and he was forbidden to use computers during his parole, and for some time after his release. His phone access was also severely restricted.
He highly advised potential young hackers to realize that it isn't any fun when you get caught, and he says that if you ever told ONE person of your hacking, you will be caught eventually. The accusing company simply names a damage sum, and then the hacker is sentenced according to tables which are getting continually stricter.
The government can't save you.
Please note the difference between the names Thomas and Taylor.
SIG: HUP