Security News > 2022 > August > Australian Hacker Charged with Creating, Selling Spyware to Cyber Criminals

A 24-year-old Australian national has been charged for his purported role in the creation and sale of spyware for use by domestic violence perpetrators and child sex offenders.

"The Frankston man engaged with a network of individuals and sold the spyware, named Imminent Monitor, to more than 14,500 individuals across 128 countries," the Australian Federal Police alleged in a press release over the weekend.

Another woman, aged 42, who lives in the same home as the accused and is identified as his mother by The Guardian, has also been charged with "Dealing with the proceeds of crime."

No fewer than 201 individuals obtained the RAT in Australia alone, with 14.2% of the buyers named as respondents on domestic violence orders.

If proven guilty, the individual faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

"Unfortunately there are criminals who not only use these tools to steal personal information for financial gain but also for very intrusive and despicable crimes."

News URL

https://thehackernews.com/2022/07/australian-hacker-charged-with-creating.html