Security News > 2005 > October > Airline hacker all too frequent

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/airline-hacker-all-too-frequent/2005/10/24/1130006061385.html By Daniella Miletic October 25, 2005 An airline employee who hacked into Qantas's mainframe computer was able to amass more than 17 million frequent flyer points without catching a plane, a court has heard. Austin Perrott, who has more than 15 years' experience in the airline industry, yesterday admitted that he had created frequent flyer accounts under fictitious names after he discovered a loophole in the computer system. Perrott found he could add false names to passenger lists once planes had landed in Melbourne. The County Court heard that Perrott, 45, was a customer services supervisor with Singapore Airlines when the scam was hatched in February 1996. It ended in 2002. Prosecutor Chris Beale told the court that the points were worth almost $790,000 . with more than $200,000 worth redeemed. Nine airlines were affected. Mr Beale said Perrott used the points for accommodation on a trip to the US with his wife and children, as well as on domestic flights. Family and friends also paid him for air tickets. Perrott's deceit was revealed when an Air New Zealand investigation discovered he was a Gold Elite member and that many points had been gained from planes landing in Melbourne. Mr Beale said Perrott asked friends at Qantas for the password to the computer system, telling them it was so he could gain access to cheap or free seats for staff at other airlines. Once he had the password, he was able to access other airlines. Yesterday Perrott, from the Melbourne suburb of Middle Park, pleaded guilty to nine counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception. His lawyer, Greg Lyon, said that his client was desperately trying to maintain a lifestyle that he and his family had previously enjoyed. Mr Lyon said Perrott was remorseful and had stopped the scam by his own volition. His last offence was in October 2002, five months before he was interviewed by police. The plea hearing, before Judge Roy Punshon, continues. _________________________________________ InfoSec News v2.0 - Coming Soon! http://www.infosecnews.org

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