Indian-Origin Hacker Sentenced: Stealing Credit Cards and Secrets

Virginia-based 38-year-old Indian-origin hacker Chirag Patel was sentenced to almost four years for computer fraud. Patel, who pled guilty, was convicted of hacking systems and stealing credit card details. US District Judge G Murray Snow gave a 51-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release. The US Attorney’s Office for Arizona also ordered Patel to pay $87,522.25 in reparation.

The FBI found that Patel committed crimes between August 2017 and July 2020. He regularly broke into Phoenix-based worldwide hotel company’s computer systems. He stole customer reward points from the company’s loyalty program. On the hacked systems, Patel stole credit card details and other PII from the company’s customers and loyalty program members.

Patel screenshotted customers’ and members’ data, including credit card numbers and other PII, for cybercrime. He uploaded these screenshots to his Google Drive to protect his illicit riches. Patel stole and had over 1,200 credit card numbers, according to the FBI investigation.

Patel also made unlawful transactions with stolen credit card numbers. He also tried to sell stolen credit card numbers, compounding his crimes.

Computer fraud may harm individuals and companies, as shown by Chirag Patel’s sentence. The lengthy jail sentence, supervised release, and reparations dissuade others from committing similar crimes. It also emphasizes the FBI’s ongoing efforts to arrest and prosecute cybercriminals.