The Department of Justice charged the British national Robert Westbrook (39) for hacking into the systems of five U.S. companies.
Westbrook was arrested in the United Kingdom this week with is awaiting extradition to the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Robert Westbrook, 39, of London, United Kingdom, was arrested in the United Kingdom this week with a view towards extradition to the United States so that he can face an indictment charging him with securities fraud, wire fraud, and five counts of computer fraud.” reads the press release<\/a> published by DoJ.\u00a0 “From January 2019 through May 2020, Westbrook executed a hack-to-trade scheme through which he generated millions of dollars in profits.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As a result of these hacks, Westbrook deceptively obtained material nonpublic information that he used to trade in the securities of the five public companies prior to the release of at least 14 earnings announcements.” reads the press release<\/a> published by SEC. “The SEC\u2019s complaint charges Westbrook with violating the antifraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint seeks a final judgment ordering Westbrook to pay civil penalties, ordering him to return his ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, and enjoining him from committing future violations of the charged provisions of the federal securities laws.”<\/em>
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Pierluigi Paganini<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
(<\/strong>SecurityAffairs<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0hacking,\u00a0British national)<\/strong>