Detectives from the Cybercrime Squad have charged an Illawarra man who allegedly gained unauthorised access to a company’s database and stole cars, NSW Police say.
In July last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Artsy to investigate unauthorised access to the administrative section of a company website.
With the assistance of company staff, investigators identified that unauthorised access was gained into the company’s fleet booking system and customer identification information from the database was downloaded.
It will be alleged in court that this information was used to access vehicles without consent on more than 30 occasions between May and July 2017.
Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Artsy detectives, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad, executed a search warrant at a home at Penrose just after 8am yesterday (Tuesday 30 January 2018).
During the search, investigators seized computers, laptops, and electronic storage devices.
A 37-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of unauthorised access, modification, or impairment with intent to commit serious indictable offence; and 33 counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
He has been refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court later today (Wednesday 31 January 2018).
Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said the investigation under Strike Force Artsy is continuing.
"At this stage, it doesn’t appear that any information, which included customer details and a small number of payment card details, has been used fraudulently or further disseminated, but our inquiries are ongoing," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
Det Supt Katsogiannis also praised the collaborative work of detectives and company staff throughout the investigation.
"Cyber-dependent crimes pose a significant risk to the community, for both individuals and business, and are emerging as one of the greatest challenges for law enforcement in the 21st century," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
"Strike Force Artsy demonstrates the successes that can be achieved when police and industry work together to combat cybercrime.
"It is important to acknowledge the proactive approach taken by this company; not only was the incident swiftly identified and reported to police, they were also diligent in their assistance to detectives.
"I cannot emphasise enough how important the company’s early report and collaborative approach were to the success of the investigation.
"By combining the tools, expertise, and investigative capability of NSW Police Force investigators with industry experts and professionals we can have a real impact on cybercrime now and into the future," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to technology-enabled crime to call Crime Stoppers.
