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Turkish National Charged in Massive Cyber Attack
An alleged cyber attacker from Turkey has been charged with directing a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on a Chicago-based multinational hospitality company, according to a federal indictment.
IZZET MERT OZEK, 32, allegedly used the WireX botnet, which consisted of compromised Google Android devices, to direct large amounts of network traffic to the hospitality company’s website in August 2017, preventing legitimate users from completing hotel bookings.
The hospitality company, which managed luxury hotels and resorts, was headquartered in Chicago and the servers for its website were located in northern Illinois.
Ozek is believed to be residing in Turkey, and a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
The indictment charges Ozek with one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer, a charge punishable by up to ten years in federal prison.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Ozek is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Didwania.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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