INSPECTOR KNACKER of the Taiwan yard has swooped down on a ring of cyber-thiefs who had been targeting government and corporate data stores.

The six individuals arrested allegedly had attacked various government agencies, state-run companies, telecom corporations and a television shopping network.

Investigators alleged that the suspects stole more than 50 million personal data records, including information about President Ma Ying-jeou, his predecessor Chen Shui-bian and police chief Wang Cho-chiun. The ring offered to sell the data for about $10 per entry.

Reportedly based in Taiwan and China, the cyber-swindlers also allegedly defrauded some victims out of millions of Taiwanese dollars through their online bank accounts.

An official with Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau, the island nation's analogue of the US FBI, said the hacking ring that was broken up was the country's largest ever of its kind.

The miscreants will be charged with computer hacking and fraud, and will face up to five years as guests of the government. µ

L'Inq
AFP