A school teacher who sexually violated and manipulated a 10-year-old boy has told the parole board that she doesn’t want to be released from prison yet.Stacey Reriti, who is currently serving a nine-year nine-month sentence, came…
Tag Archives: oceania
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Alleged SMS scammer arrested for 'using Optus hack data'
A Sydney man has been charged with allegedly attempting to extort Optus customers in a scam text message using data that had been compromised in the recent cyberattack.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) this morning executed a search warrant at a home in Rockdale, in Sydney's south, where they arrested a 19-year-old man accused of running the scam.
He is not suspected of being responsible for the original Optus breach.
LIVE UPDATES: Sydney records its wettest year in recorded history – and there's still 86 days to go
Police will allege the man accessed the 10,200 stolen records that were posted online by the original hacker and then sent a scam text message to 93 customers.
The message demanded $2000 from the recipient, threatening to release the information further if the ransom was not paid.
None of the 93 customers who received the message are believed to have paid the ransom.
OPTUS DATA LEAK: What do I do if my details have been hacked?
Assistant Commissioner of Cyber Command at the AFP Justine Gough said the man allegedly tried to financially benefit from the stolen data that was dumped on an online forum.
"Last week, the AFP and our state and territory partners launched Operation Guardian to protect the most vulnerable customers affected by the Optus breach and we were absolutely clear that there would be no tolerance for the criminal use of this stolen data,'' Gough said.
"The warning is clear. Do not test the capability or dedication of law enforcement.
"The AFP, our state partners and industry are relentlessly scouring forums and other online sites for criminal activity linked to this breach.
"Just because there has been one arrest does not mean there won't be more."
The AFP traced a bank account used in the scam message as part of their investigation.
The Sydney man has since been charged with two offences – using a telecommunication network with the intent to commit a serious offence and dealing with identity information – that carry a maximum penalty of 10 and seven years' imprisonment.
He is scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court at a later date.
Arrest comes as confusion reigns over Optus communication
Two days ago, Optus confirmed at least 2.1 million personal identification numbers have been stolen as the telco announced an external review into the massive cyber attack.
Following investigations, Optus said of the 9.8 million customers whose data was hacked, it believes 7.7 million do not need to replace documents.
The 2.1 million personal ID details include 150,000 passport and 50,000 Medicare numbers.
Optus has been contacting customers affected by the hack with updates, but many reported feeling confused by multiple text messages from different numbers.
READ MORE: Details of 30,000 Telstra staff leaked online in third-party data breach
Independent 'forensic' review ordered
Optus has commissioned an independent forensic review into the cyberattack against the telco, which saw thousands of customers' personal information leaked.
The review will be conducted by international services company Deloitte and will look into the cyberattack itself, Optus' security systems as well as its controls and processes.
"As part of the review, Deloitte will undertake a forensic assessment of the cyberattack and the circumstances surrounding it," Optus said in a statement released on Monday.
READ MORE: Optus announces external review into data breach
Optus said the review was recommended by CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.
In the statement, Bayer Rosmarin said the company was determined to find out what went wrong.
"This review will help ensure we understand how it occurred and how we can prevent it from occurring again," she said.
It's unclear when the investigation will begin.
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