Three-year prison sentence for Belgian who hacked American Airlines

The Mechelen correctional court in Belgium found Kevin D. guilty of hacking and computer fraud on Thursday. In August 2017, 27-year-old D. hacked into several American Airlines websites, prompting the US Justice Department to request his extradition to the United States. He risks a sentence of 22 to 45 years in the US. Because the offences were committed in Belgium, the Belgian court also has jurisdiction. The man was effectively sentenced to three years in prison because he is not a first-time offender.

Kevin D. hacked into various American Airlines public networks between August 7 and 12 in 2017. The hacking involved 21 fraudulent airline ticket reservations, worth a combined total of $112,000. With reservation fees included, the total loss amounted to $203,000. The internal systems were also hacked and D. gained access to personnel data, customer data and information about procedures of American Airlines and various American airports where the airline was active.

The acts were committed in the Belgian city of Mechelen, both at his home and work address, making the Belgian judicial authorities entitled to handle the case. Since he had already been convicted twice before for similar offences against Mobistar, Utopolis, SN Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa, the man received an effective prison sentence of three years. His immediate detention was ordered.

(KOR)

© Cooper NEILL / AFP