FBI Arrests 14 for Attempting to Hack PayPal

While the rest of the world focuses their attention on Rupert Murdoch’s news empire’s phone and email hacking scandal, a different battle wages against hackers responsible for numerous cyber-attacks that took place in nine states and Washington, D.C.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arrested 14 people yesterday on charges stating that the 14 participated in major cyber attacks. The cyber-attacks include attempts at hacking and crippling PayPal, eBay’s payment website after PayPal dropped WikiLeaks as their client. The PayPal cyber attack happened December of last year and was allegedly coordinated by Anonymous, a hacking group. The FBI arrest was considered the largest crackdown perpetrated against hackers believed to be responsible for high-profile cyber-attacks.

Since WikiLeaks published thousands of reports embarrassing the US government and caused strains between Washington and its numerous allies, PayPal and other financial institutions like Visa and MasterCard dropped WikiLeaks from their clientele list.

This resulted in hackers flooding the companies’ websites with denial-of-service attacks. What happened was that when legitimate users of PayPal, Visa and MasterCard request information, the information is rendered unavailable. PayPal’s services suffered such cyber-attacks for several days last December.

The 14 who were arrested were charged with conspiracy with a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted. Also, a charge of conspiracy with intent to damage a protected computer comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The 14 individuals’ ages range from 20 to 42. They lived in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico and Ohio.

The authorities admitted that it was difficult to consistently make successful arrests because cyber-attacks can be done launched anywhere. Hackers are capable of hiding their whereabouts.

One of the difficulties authorities have had tracking down hacking attacks is that they can be launched from anywhere and can come from an individual who can mask his location. But the authorities also acknowledged that this arrest of the 14 is a significant development.

The success of the arrest can also be attributed to the FBI’s special attention to the case. When cyber-attacks were launched against corporate and government websites, the Justice Department and the FBI were under severe pressure to step up and apprehend the hackers.

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight – a South African Memoir

The war began in 1964. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is set in the summer of ‘79, just before an election, with white minority rule under threat.

With Republicans in Power, Firearms Rights Advocates Push to Reform Gun Laws

Gun Owners of America, a gun rights lobby, joined...

Israel Film Festival (IFF)-June 6, 2025 Prelude Luncheon

While the world antagonizes Israel, currently fighting an existential war, the Israel Film Festival (IFF) proudly held its annual sponsor luncheon.

Unibeam Secures $6M to Replace Vulnerable SMS OTPs with SIM-Based Authentication

In a bold move to redefine digital authentication, Israeli...

Can A Boiler Explode

Boiler explosions sound like something out of a disaster...

Not In Our Backyard Say Illinoisians of a Proposed New Slaughterhouse

Does anything separate rural and urban communities more than...

Native American Celebration in the Shadow of New York Mascot Name-Change Lunacy

On June 1st, 2025, Lotus Music & Dance hosted the 23rd Drums Along the Hudson Pow Wow native american celebration at Inwood Hill Park

Related Articles

Popular Categories