Engineer: I stole IDs from hotel computers
BY JAY WEAVER
jweaver@MiamiHerald.com
A Colombian engineer pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to illegally hacking into hotel computers in Miami, Las Vegas and other cities to steal credit card numbers and other personal information to pocket more than $400,000 to finance his luxurious lifestyle.
Mario Alberto Simbaqueba Bonilla, 40, who was arrested at Miami International Airport in August, pleaded guilty to a 16-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, fraud and identity theft involving hundreds of travelers.
Between June 2004 and August 2007, Simbaqueba checked into major hotels around the United States and overseas, where he would install software on all of the computers at their business centers, according to court records. Later, he would watch as guests logged onto these machines. The software would copy their keystrokes, which would often contain login information, passwords and other personal financial information.
He would then log on to a remote computer and download the information, using it to steal money and credit cards for buying expensive electronics, personal luxuries and international travel.
Among the items he bought with stolen identities were laptop computers, high definition televisions, stereo systems, jewelry and clothing for himself and his various girlfriends. He also used it to stay in first-class hotels in places like Hong Kong, France and Italy.
Simbaqueba was assisted by an ex-wife, identified in court records as Nelya Alexandra Valero of Northbrook, Ill. Authorities say she is at large and believed to be in Colombia. They say she helped him circumvent scrutiny by credit card companies and other institutions by allowing him to connect from his home computer in Colombia to her computer in Northbrook. This hid his true location as he carried out his criminal activities.
Simbaqueba faces seven to 10 years in prison. His sentencing is set for March 19 before U.S. District Judge Paul Huck.
Simbaqueba’s attorney, Jay White, said his client was “extremely remorseful.”
”He accepted responsibility as soon as he got off the airplane and was arrested,” White said.
Many of the individual victims did not lose any money because they were reimbursed by financial institutions. But those companies, which include Chase Manhattan Bank, AmericanAirlines and eTrade, lost a total of more than $400,000, according to court records.
Article Source: Miami Herald
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