An investigation into a hacking scheme that’s already seen two other charged has now resulted in the arrest of a California rapper.
Federal prosecutors in Seattle contend Charles Tony Williamson – a 33-year-old Los Angeles man better known as “Guerilla Black” – bought and used credit card information stolen by two other men. The credit cards had been used at Seattle-area businesses.
Williamson’s alleged conspirators David Benjamin Schrooten, 22, of the Netherlands, and Christopher A. Schroebel, 2
…
An investigation into a hacking scheme that’s already seen two other charged has now resulted in the arrest of a California rapper.
Federal prosecutors in Seattle contend Charles Tony Williamson – a 33-year-old Los Angeles man better known as “Guerilla Black” – bought and used credit card information stolen by two other men. The credit cards had been used at Seattle-area businesses.
Williamson’s alleged conspirators David Benjamin Schrooten, 22, of the Netherlands, and Christopher A. Schroebel, 21, of Keedysville, Md., were indicted previously; Schroebel has since pleaded guilty. Prosecutors contend the young men stole and sold the credit card information, which Williamson put to use within hours of the thefts.
Prosecutors claim Williamson received at least 27,257 stolen credit card numbers and stole at least $150,000. Williamson is alleged to have emailed instructions to Schroebel and Schrooten, telling them that he wanted to purchase “dumps” of stolen credit card numbers in lots of 100, 500 or more.
“Today’s arrest shows that criminals cannot hide in cyberspace. We will prosecute all parts of the criminal gang – regardless of where they may be,” U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan said in a statement.
Williamson has been charged with hacking related crimes and aggravated identity theft.
Check the Seattle 911 crime blog for more Seattle crime news. Visit seattlepi.com‘s home page for more Seattle news.
Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or [email protected]. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.