A 32-year-old Zoetermeer had a business conflict with an event organization agency. He felt that himself and others were owed money for services rendered. Therefore, in late 2017, he hacked the company's Instagram account and posted a "warning" on it. This week, the police judge imposed a 30-hour community service sentence on the man.
"Surprise, attention please for all artists! Due to refusal to pay outstanding invoices that should be paid to multiple parties by the owner of the concept surprise, all channels will soon be taken over provided payment will be made. These are payments from artists, DJs and other staff members. Reason for non-payment is not clear!"
That was the text the Zoetermeer left on the company's Instagram account in late 2017. Frustrating, of course, when bills are not paid or not paid on time. But that can never be a reason to break into someone else's account. There are other ways for that. So the company filed charges of computer trespass and defamation.
Today the man had to appear before the police judge. The prosecutor demanded community service for both offenses. But the magistrate found only computer hacking proven and sentenced the Zoetermeer to thirty hours of community service.
The company had asked for damages of 1,500 euros but the prosecutor found them insufficiently substantiated. The company is no longer in business.
This news item can also be found in the Information Security file
