Algerian Hacker Hamza Bendelladj Arrested for Stealing Millions

Algerian hacker Hamza Bendelladj, 24, was arrested on Sunday at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Immigration Bureau chief Pharnu Kerdlarpphon said Thai police were alerted to his arrival by the FBI. “Mr Bendelladj, who graduated in computer sciences in Algeria in 2008, has allegedly hacked private accounts in 217 banks and financial companies worldwide, amassing ‘huge amounts’ in illicit earnings, Pol Lt Gen Pharnu told a press conference,” The Bangkok Post reports. “‘With just one transaction he could earn 10 to 20 million dollars,’ Lt Gen Phanu said. ‘He’s been travelling the world flying first class and living a life of luxury.'”

“His alleged exploits reportedly propelled Bendelladj towards the top of an FBI most-wanted cyber-criminals list,” writes The Register’s John Leyden. “The Feds [have] been tracking the computer science graduate for three years.”

“He was arrested during a stopover at Thailand’s international airport while travelling from Malaysia, where he said that he and his family had been on holiday,” BBC News reports. “Police said they had confiscated two laptops, a tablet computer, a satellite phone and a number of external hard drives from Mr Bendelladj. He will be extradited to the US state of Georgia, where a district court has issued an arrest warrant.”