US Makes Arrest In Epic Point Of Sale Hack Investigation

The US has arrested a man it believes was one of the most prolific hackers of retailers’ point of sale systems.

On Monday, the US Department for Homeland Security said the Secret Service had arrested Roman Valerevich Seleznev, a Russian national originally indicted in the Western District of Washington in March 2011. He allegedly carried out breaches of sale systems across the US between October 2009 and February 2011.

To disseminate stolen credit card details, Seleznev allegedly set up a number of carding forums, in which he was known as Track2.

Point of sale break-ins

“This important arrest sends a clear message:  despite the increasingly borderless nature of transitional organized crime, the long arm of justice – and this Department – will continue to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated criminal organisations,” said secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.

Seleznev currently remains in custody pending a trial and is facing a wide range of charges. These include:  five counts of bank fraud, eight counts of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer, eight counts of obtaining information from a protected computer, one count of possession of 15 or more unauthorised access devices, two counts of trafficking unauthorised access devices, and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

Meanwhile, Seleznev has been charged in a separate indictment in the District of Nevada for participating in a “racketeer influenced corrupt organisation” (RICO) and conspiracy to engage in a RICO, alongside two counts of possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorised access devices.

“Cyber crooks should take heed: you cannot hide behind distant keyboards.  We will bring you to face justice,” said US Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.

The US has seen some high-profile point of sale hacks in recent memory, none more infamous than the attack on US retailer Target, which saw data of more than 40 million credit cards pilfered.

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