Ride the Lightning

Private Eye Expected to Please Guilty in "Hacker for Hire" Case

February 23, 2015

The New York Times carried a fascinating story reporting that a New York private investigator is expected to plead guilty to charges of paying a "hacker-for-hire" firm to steal e-mail credentials. He reportedly has done some work for lawyers.

Separately, federal prosecutors in San Francisco announced the indictment of two private investigators and two computer hackers on charges that they illegally entered e-mail and Skype accounts to gather information for matters they were working on for clients. Some of the illegally gathered information was said to support a lawsuit.

These firms reportedly charge $50-$250 per account hacked.

It has long been suspected that some lawyers are utilizing the services of hacker-for-hire firms. They are not likely to fare well with the justice system or their disciplinary boards if they can be linked to this activity which clearly violates the law – and their ethical duties.

Hat tip to Dave Ries.

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