Computer Hacker Ring With a Bay Area Link

The San Francisco Chronicle

May 9, 1990

The Secret Service yesterday searched as many as 29 locations in 13 cities, including the family home of an 18-year-old San Jose State University student, in an investigation of alleged fraud by computer hackers, law enforcement sources said. The 6 a.m. search on Balderstone Drive in San Jose sought computer equipment allegedly used to "deal in pirate software and electronic fraud," San Jose police Sergeant Richard Saito said in a prepared statement.

The nationwide investigation, code-named "Operation Sun Devil," concerns the unauthorized use of credit card numbers and long-distance dialing codes as well as illegal entry into computer systems by hackers, said sources. Saito said the probe centered on the "Billionaire Boys Club computer bulletin board" based in Phoenix. A press conference on the probe is scheduled today in Phoenix.

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.

The San Jose suspect was identified as Frank Fazzio Jr., whom neighbors said was a graduate of Pioneer High School and lives at home with his younger sister and parents. Neither he nor his family could be reached for comment.

"I've never thought him capable of that sort of thing," said one neighbor on the block-long street located in the Almaden Valley section of south San Jose.

Warrants were obtained by the Secret Service to conduct the search in San Jose, as well as in Chicago; Cincinnati; Detroit; Los Angeles; Miami; Newark, N.J.; New York City; Pittsburgh; Richmond, Va.; Plano, Texas; and San Diego.

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 that long-distance telephone companies issue to individual callers. Defendants convicted of unauthorized use of such ""access devices" can be sentenced to 10 years in prison if they commit fraud of more than $1,000.

Copyright 1990