Government Launches National Search For Computer Hackers

James Rowley
The Associated Press

May 8, 1990

WASHINGTON -- The Secret Service searched as many as 29 locations in 13 cities Tuesday as part of an investigation of alleged fraud by computer hackers, law enforcement sources said.

Search warrants were obtained by the Secret Service to conduct searches in 13 cities, including Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, N.J., New York City, and Pittsburgh, said sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The searches are part of an investigation code-named "Operation Sun Devil" of the unauthorized use of credit-card numbers and long-distance dialing codes as well as illegal entry into computer systems by hackers, said the sources.

The investigation is being supervised by Stephen McNamee, the U.S. attorney in Phoenix, Ariz., and Bob Corbin, the Arizona attorney general.

The two officials have scheduled a news conference on Wednesday in Phoenix to discuss the searches, the Secret Service said.

Secret Service spokesman Richard Adams declined to discuss details of the case.

The investigation in Phoenix is also focusing on incidents in which computer hackers allegedly changed computerized records at hospitals and police 911-emergency lines, according to one source.

Up to 150 Secret Service agents participated in the searches, according to one source. Warrants were also obtained for searches in Richmond, Va., Plano, Texas; San Diego and San Jose, Calif.

Under new computer crime laws, the Secret Service has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of electronic fraud through the use of access devices such as credit-card numbers and codes long-distance companies issue to individual callers.

Defendants convicted of unauthorized use of such "access devices" can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison if they commit fraud of more than $1,000, according to the law.

A similar investigation supervised by federal prosecutors in Chicago has resulted in several indictments.

Copyright 1990. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.