Security News > 2020 > October > Brit webcam criminal snared in FBI LuminosityLink creepware sting spared prison

A man who spied on unsuspecting victims through their webcams has escaped a prison sentence after buying off-the-shelf LuminosityLink malware and using CCTV software to spy on them.

Crown prosecutor Russell Pyne told the court that Wood had been caught by police as part of a wider multinational investigation into LuminosityLink creator Colton Grubbs, who pleaded guilty to US criminal charges over the malware in 2018.

According to local newspaper the Swindon Advertiser, Wood's purchase of LuminosityLink came to light as part of a joint FBI-UK police operation, with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit tracking him down and analysing his computers.

Although the court heard no evidence that Wood used LuminosityLink, he did use an off-the-shelf CCTV management product called Blue Iris to make around 1,400 illicit video recordings from hacked webcams, "The majority of which showed people having sex at home," the newspaper reported.

Wood must also register as a sex offender and obey a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, as well as completing 100 hours of unpaid work and a sex offender rehab programme.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2020/10/14/swindon_webcam_perv_john_wood/