$50 Million Identity Thief Gets 9.5 Years in Prison

A Georgia man who made a living by using stolen financial information from a notorious online identity theft and credit card fraud ring has been sentenced to 115 months in federal prison. Cameron Harrison, aka ‘Kilobit,’ was ordered to pay $50.8 million in restitution for his role in the ‘Carder.su’ ring.

Harrison, 28, of Augusta, Georgia, became associated with the Carder.su organization in June 2008. The group trafficked in compromised credit card account data, counterfeit identifications, and committed money laundering, narcotics trafficking, and computer crimes. Members of the group communicated through secure and encrypted forums, such as chatrooms, private messaging systems, and encrypted email.

Harrison admitted to purchasing compromised credit card account data and other personal identifying information from fellow Carder.su members. He also admitted to possessing over 260 compromised credit and debit card numbers, which were recovered from his computer and email accounts after his arrest.

Harrison was identified when he purchased a counterfeit Georgia driver’s license from an undercover special agent through the Carder.su network. He had previously been involved in the defunct cyberfraud organization ‘ShadowCrew,’ where he sold counterfeit identifications.

In total, 55 individuals were charged in four separate indictments in Operation Open Market, which targeted the Carder.su organization. To date, 26 individuals have been convicted and sentenced.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said, ‘Cyber thieves created a real criminal organization through the virtual world of the Internet, stealing credit card data and relying on technology, perceived anonymity, and international borders to evade law enforcement.’ U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden added, ‘These are far from victimless crimes and the members of this organization were responsible for the theft of over $50 million.’

Harrison’s sentence is a significant blow to the Carder.su organization, which was a major player in the world of online identity theft and credit card fraud. His conviction serves as a reminder that cybercrime will not be tolerated and those who commit these crimes will face the full weight of the law.

RELATED: Nursing Home Aide Rips Off Elderly in $500K Fraud