2- Albert Gonzalez
Albert Gonzalez is responsible for masterminding one of the biggest hacks to date. This being the biggest credit card and ATM number fraud till now. Gonzalez’s operation was active between 2005 and 2007. According to recent investigations, Gonzalez was responsible for illegally hijacking computers, altering parts of the code and stealing over 170 million credit card details. This allowed him to conduct fake transactions and steal money from other people’s accounts.
He and his team of hackers named ‘the ShadowCrew group’ were also running a website offering all kinds of illegal services. For example, the procurement of counterfeit credit cards, debit cards, drivers’ licenses, passports, college IDs, birth certificates, health insurance or social security cards. And an entire section on tutorials teaching the working of cryptography with relation to ATM cards.
Through his criminal activities, Gonzalez stole about $200 million. The Secret Service, in collaboration with multiple other countries, arrested Gonzalez. Also seizing $1.6 million in cash. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence.