Romanian Charged in High-Profile Hacks

'Guccifer' Allegedly Snooped on Former US Government Officials
Romanian Charged in High-Profile Hacks

A hacker who goes by the handle Guccifer was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly breaking into the personal online accounts of high-profile victims, including a family member of two former U.S. presidents.

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Marcel Lehel Lazar of Arad, Romania, was indicted by the Justice Department on charges of wire fraud, unauthorized access to a protected computer, aggravated identity theft, cyberstalking and obstruction of justice.

From December 2012 to January 2014, Lazar allegedly hacked into the e-mail and social media accounts of a family member of two former U.S. presidents, a former U.S. Cabinet member, a former member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and a former presidential adviser, authorities say.

Once Lazar had access to the accounts, he publicly released his victims' private e-mail correspondences, medical and financial information, and personal photographs, prosecutors allege. The indictment also alleges that in July and August 2013, Lazar impersonated a victim after compromising the victim's account.

Lazar, a former taxi driver, was sentenced last week in Romania to serve up to seven years in prison for hacking crimes against the country's citizens, according to Reuters. The report also identified the George W. Bush family as having been impacted by Lazar's alleged exploits.

The U.S. case against Lazar was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI's Washington Field Office and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security.


About the Author

Jeffrey Roman

Jeffrey Roman

News Writer, ISMG

Roman is the former News Writer for Information Security Media Group. Having worked for multiple publications at The College of New Jersey, including the College's newspaper "The Signal" and alumni magazine, Roman has experience in journalism, copy editing and communications.




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