Feds Nab Miami's "SoupNazi" for Record Online Theft
Super-hacker is akin to Neo from “The Matrix”
By TODD WRIGHT
Updated 12:49 AM CST, Tue, Aug 18, 2009
In the Internet universe, Albert Gonzales is akin to the character Neo from “The Matrix” – only with a sillier screen name.
Known online as “soupnazi,” Gonzales, who lives in Miami, recently tried to pull off the largest credit and debit card theft in the history of the United States, federal prosecutors claim.
On Monday, the "soupnazi" (we just like saying that) was indicted on charges he conspired to engage in a wire fraud that would have stolen 130 million card numbers. Morpheus would be proud.
Authorities say Gonzales targeted customers of convenience store giant 7-Eleven Inc. and supermarket chain Hannaford Brothers Co. Inc.
Gonzales is awaiting trial in New York for allegedly helping hack the computer network of the national restaurant chain Dave and Buster's. Trial in that case is due to begin next month. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the new charges.
Also last year, the Justice Department announced additional charges against Gonzales and others for hacking retail companies' computers for the theft of approximately 40 million credit cards.
At the time, that was believed to be the biggest single case of hacking private computer networks to steal credit card data.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
First Published: Aug 17, 2009 3:01 PM CST
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