Thai police have arrested an Algerian hacker wanted by the FBI for cybercrime, an activity that has reportedly earned him tens of millions of dollars.
Hamza Bendelladj, 24, who graduated in computer science in Algeria in 2008, was arrested on Sunday evening while trying to transit through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport from Malaysia.
He allegedly hacked private accounts in 217 banks and financial companies across the world, “With a single transaction, he could earn $10 million to $20 million,” said Lt. Gen. Phanu. “He has traveled the world first class and lives a life of luxury,” says this Thai official.
Police confiscated two laptop, a tablet, a satellite phone and some external hard drives. These are the main tools of the Algerian hacker.
Bendelladj will be extradited to the US state of Georgia, where a court has issued a warrant for his arrest. “I’m not in the top 10, maybe just among the 20 or 50,” the Algerian suspect said with a laugh. “I am not a terrorist,” he added.