Hacker faces a maximum prison penalty of 5 years

Apr 3, 2015 10:06 GMT  ·  By

A 19-year-old admitted in court that between 2012 and 2014 he was part of an international hacking ring that hacked into the computer networks of different video game companies and stole intellectual property estimated to be worth at least $100 / €92 million.

The group of hackers was formed of multiple individuals from around the world, but at the moment four of them (three from the US and one from Canada) have been arrested and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Hacker distributed database with over 11,000 log-ins

Austin Alcala of McCordsville, Indiana, is the fourth one to admit his guilt. A statement from the Department of Justice says that he admitted to hacking the computers of Microsoft and Zombie Studios and stole log-in credentials along with proprietary data.

According to his declaration in court, he once sent other members of the hacking ring a database with 11,266 access credentials stolen from one of the victims.

Alcala faces a maximum jail penalty of five years for hacking and intellectual property theft conspiracy. The sentencing hearing has been set for July 29, 2015.

Other hackers are still loose

The group of hackers stole unreleased software, source code and specifications for then unreleased technology such as Microsoft’s Xbox One gaming console. Apart from Microsoft and Zombie Studios, the list of victims includes Epic Games and Valve Corporation.

Among the games impacted by the illegal activity of the hackers are FIFA, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Gears of War 3.

The four hackers are also accused of using their computer skills to gain illegal access to the US Army systems, from where they stole simulation software produced by Zombie Studios for Apache helicopter pilot training.

The total worth of the information extracted from the victims’ computers is estimated to be up to $200 / €184 million. At the moment, more than $620,000 / €570,000 has been seized in cash and other proceeds connected to the illicit activity.

Sanadodeh Nesheiwat (28, of of Washington, New Jersey), David Pokora (22, of of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) and Nathan Leroux (20, of Bowie, Maryland), are the other three members of the gang that are currently in custody and have pleaded guilty.

At least two other members of the group are still at large, one from Australia and one from Canada. The FBI is collaborating with law enforcement from these countries to catch them.