A man works on his computer to gather information. (Photo : Getty Images/Joe Raedle)
Alonzo Knowles, the Bahamian who hacked email accounts of almost 130 celebrities in the United States has been charged and detained. The man illegally obtained sex tapes and unreleased movie and TV scripts with the intention of selling them for big bucks.
The hacker further admitted to investigators that he was able to get the social security number of an A-lister celebrity in addition to 30 unreleased songs that are part of an upcoming album. The federal prosecutors said Knowles targeted Hollywood superstars, popular sports and media personalities.
The 23-year-old man's wrongdoing was uncover after he attempted to sell 6-episode scripts for the new season of hit TV drama to a radio host, NY Times reported. However, the host called the executive producer and the network broadcasting the program informed the Department of Homeland Security about the incident.
To catch Knowles, an undercover agent was dispatched. The hacker subsequently brought up an asking price of $80,000 for 15 scripts and social security number of a well-known actress.
In a press release posted on U.S. Department of Justice website, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement: "This case has all of the elements of the kind of blockbuster script the defendant, Alonzo Knowles, is alleged to have stolen: hacks into celebrities' private emails, identity theft, and attempts to sell victims' information to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, these circumstances are all too real."
Knowles who also go by the name Jeff Moxey attended a hearing at the Federal District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday. The judge ordered to put him to be detained. Clay Kaminsky, the young man's lawyer refrained from commenting on his client's charges which carries a maximum prison term of five years.
