Founder of Crimebook is imprisoned for five years

CRIMEBOOK was the term used to describe the website run by three teenagers that allowed criminals all over the world to swap stolen personal data.

Nicholas Webber, founder of the Ghostmarket website was jailed for five years after admitting to conspiracy to commit fraud and assisting offenders. Two of Webber's lieutenants, Ryan Thomas and Gary Kelly, were sentenced to four and five years, respectively, for their parts in the criminal scheme.

The Ghostmarket website served as a matchmaking service bringing together online criminals and stolen personal data such as bank account details and credit card data. It also served as a hub for cyber-criminals to acquire information on how to steal data.

Other members of the Ghostmarket website have also been sent up the river, with Shakira Ricardo receiving 18 months porridge for admitting conspiracy to commit fraud and acquiring criminal property, while Samantha Worley who laundered money for the website was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work for admitting to acquiring criminal property.

Webber was caught back in 2009 when he and Thomas tried to pay a hotel bill with a stolen credit card. He then jumped bail and was rearrested upon his return to Gatwick airport in January 2010.

Police estimated that the website, which had 8,000 members worldwide, swindled £16.2 million from stolen bank and card details.

While the so-called Crimebook website has been shut down, it's likely that many members have simply pointed their web browsers elsewhere to fill the void left by the apprehension and prosecution of Webber and his associates. µ