U.S.-wanted Algerian hacker arrested at Thailand airport

1/7/2013

BANGKOK — Thai police have arrested an Algerian cybercrime suspect who is on the U.S. FBI's most- wanted list for allegedly making millions of dollars from hacking banks’ websites.

Immigration police chief Lt. Gen. Panu Kerdlarppol says Hamza Bendelladj was arrested Sunday night during a layover at Thailand's main international airport while traveling to Egypt from Malaysia.

Panu said today that police confiscated from Bendelladj two laptops, one tablet computer, a satellite phone and a number of external hard drives.

Panu said U.S. authorities believe the 24-year-old suspect hacked private accounts in more than 217 banks and financial companies worldwide, causing about $10 million in losses per transaction.

He said Bendelladj will be extradited to the U.S. state of Georgia, where a district court has issued an arrest warrant.