Police arrest teenager they believe to be the ringleader in major cyber-crime network

Police in New Zealand arrested an 18 year old boy, which they believe may be a ringleader in an international cyber-crime gang.

The group is believed to have brought down the server at the University of Pennsylvania and infiltrated more than a million computers. Police estimate the gang have skimmed $25m in from victims bank accounts by hijacking computers all over the world and networking them to form a botnet.

The boy arrested is believed to have written programs unlike any other, capable of evading normal anti-virus software and then sold it to other hackers. Detectives in NZ, who are working with Dutch detectives and the FBI say the boy is very bright and very skilled in what he is doing.

The boy (screen name AKILL) was arrested at his home in Hamilton, NZ. Police seized several computers from the premise and the youth could face 10 years behind bars for his actions.

The 18 year old was later released after questioning but police think he may be crucial to the investigation. So far, 8 people have been convicted since the investigation started nearly 6 months ago.