ZAKREVSKI: ALLEGED COMPUTER HACKER IN COURT OVER CREDIT CARD FRAUD

An eastern European man charged with using malicious software to steal credit card details from home computers from more than 130 countries across the globe was remanded in custody today (Weds).

Ilia Zakrevski, 25, was arrested upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport yesterday, after being extradited from Denmark on a European Arrest Warrant.

The Estonian, aided in court by a Russian interpreter today, is said to have used ‘malware’ code to hack into computers without their owners’ knowledge.

Court documents set out a number of websites said to have been used in the case, including ‘command and control servers’ puhangu.co.uk and spyeye100.org.

Zakrevski, working with UK-based co-defendants Pavel Cyganok, 27, and Aldis Krumins, 45, allegedly used stolen credit card details to defraud local authorities, financial institutions and utility companies.

The fraud involving ‘botnets’ – armies of hijacked computers – was allegedly carried out between November 1, 2009, and April 8 this year, City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

Krumins, a Latvian citizen, and Lithuanian national Cynok were charged with involvement in the scam on April 8 after being arrested in Hull and Birmingham respectively.

Officers swooped following an investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime Directorate.

Cyganok, of Denver House, (4) The Moorings, Hockley, Birmingham, Krumins, of Gray Street, Goole, North Humberside, and Zakrevski, of no fixed address, were remanded to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 15.

Zakrevski faces charges of unauthorised access with intent to impair the operation of a computer, making an article for use in fraud, using or controlling articles for use in fraud, and conspiracy to defraud.

Cyganok and Krumins face charges of conspiring to defraud and concealing the proceeds of crime.

All three defendants were remanded in custody..
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