Computer hacker took £185k from PayPal customers
A PROFESSIONAL computer hacker has been jailed after he stole more than £180,000 directly from eBay customers.
Richard Kirk, who lives with his mum in Sherwood, attacked 303 accounts after he cracked users' passwords.
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Behind bars: eBay fraudster Richard Kirk lived with his mum in Sherwood.
The 22-year-old was able to then access his victim's PayPal accounts, which allow people to pay for goods bought online.
He transferred money from the PayPal accounts into his own, and then used the stolen cash to buy items for himself.
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He spent £143,000 on valuable goods, including gold bars.
Kirk, from Bradmore Rise, was caught when one account holder got suspicious and contacted police.
Nottingham Crown Court heard officers set up an operation outside Kirk's house as he took delivery of two bars of gold bullion.
After the postman left, Kirk was arrested with his laptop on his knee, surrounded by parcels.
"Richard Kirk is a professional eBay and PayPal hacker," said Martin Hurst, prosecuting. "What this man has been doing is attacking other peoples' accounts and stealing their money on a daily basis."
Kirk pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud, four of theft and one relating to the use of an Acer laptop during the frauds.
Judge Ebrahim Mooncey sent him to prison for three-and-a-half years.
And he told Kirk: "A lot of effort was put in by you over a long period of time in order to conduct the fraud you did."
Comments
by happy, Nottingham
Tuesday, April 19 2011, 10:07PM
“It doesn't tell you there was more than one person at it. Have eBay or PayPal changed there ways? No. Are the people that had involvement in this still committing crime the same way? More than likely. Maybe not seeing as they don't have an address to send everything to!”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Monday, February 21 2011, 8:29PM
“He should be thankful he isn't in a country which has Sharia law.”
by Daz, Nott'm
Monday, February 21 2011, 7:43PM
“Damn glitchs, see he might even be able to sort those out as well.”
by Daz, Nott'm
Monday, February 21 2011, 7:37PM
“Richard Kirk, who lives in Sherwood, attacked 303 accounts.
Ok, so he's been a naughty boy, but he didnt use violence or any weapons and injured no one, he used his skills to hack into Paypal, pity he didnt uase them for doing good but hey ho, 3yrs inside might make him change his ways, although i thought the gold bars was taking it a little to far”
by Daz, Nott'm
Monday, February 21 2011, 7:32PM
“Richard Kirk, who lives in Sherwood, attacked 303 accounts
Without condoning what he's done, this has to be one of the best ways to commit a crime these days, no weapons or violence used, just good old brain power. Although i think the gold bars was taking it a little to far. Imagine they got lost in the post......”
by splodge, splodge city
Monday, February 21 2011, 4:02PM
“Three years for £180,000. Thats more than I earn for getting of my @rse everyday and going to work. Who says that crime doesnt pay? Lou, Sherwood, Notts
And remember Lou, he will be out in 18 months if he is a good boy! or maybe even not in at all if it was up to Ken Clarke!”
by ss, bb
Monday, February 21 2011, 4:01PM
“if this guy had gone into a bank and stole that amount they would have thrown the book at him, but because he's stolen from other people its not so bad? Thats cold. No wonder people dont value this society anymore, this society works against people.”
by Lou, Sherwood, Notts
Monday, February 21 2011, 1:10PM
“Three years for £180,000. Thats more than I earn for getting of my @rse everyday and going to work. Who says that crime doesnt pay?”
by Captain, Mansfield
Monday, February 21 2011, 11:43AM
“How will he cope now in prison where he will have to mix with real live people. No doubt he will be arguing that his right to privacy should be respected and he should be left alone in order to slay Mardut, king of the leaf people and betrayor of Ludlow.”
by Ted, Notts
Monday, February 21 2011, 9:32AM
“What is the betting he has access to computers in prison? A part of his Human Rights, no doubt.”