The court in The Hague today sentenced a 20-year-old man to a three-year prison term, with one year suspended. The man made and sold large-scale software to commit payment fraud, so-called "phishing panels" and "tick panels.
With such a panel, it is possible to create fake websites that resemble the log-in pages of internet banking of different banks. When login credentials are entered there, the panel user can take over the corresponding bank account and use it to make payments.
The man sold his panels to at least 49 people and gave them tips and advice on how to use them. By doing so, he contributed to committing fraud, resulting in potentially large financial losses. In addition, the man himself used his panels to commit fraud with others.
The man could be apprehended after extensive (online) investigation by police. A loaded pistol was found under his desk chair. The man laundered the proceeds from the sale of the panels in bitcoins.
Because of his young age, the court considers it important that the man receive counseling after serving his sentence to get his life on track. The court therefore imposed a one-year suspended sentence, with the condition that the man cooperate with Hack_Right. Hack_Right helps young cybercriminals to use their talent for ICT in a legal manner.
