Greek Teenager Arrested for Hacking into Pentagon, FBI and NSA

An 18-year old teenager was arrested in Greece for allegedly hacking into websites and systems belonging to the Interpol, the Pentagon, the FBI and the NSA back in 2008 and 2009.

The teenager was taken into custody by police officers from his home in Agios Dimitrios, one of Athens' working-class districts, where he was living with his mother.

Police officers executed a search warrant on the premise and seized nearly 8,000 euros, $300, laptops, external drives and a router.

According to Manolis Sfakianakis, head of the Department of Electronic Crime of the Attica's Security Division, the teenager, known online as "nsplitter," executed the attacks from his home computer.

In February 2008, at the age of 15, the teenager is believed to have hacked into the website of the Interpol, which prompted French authorities to launch an investigation.

One year later, in February 2009, he also hacked into systems belonging to the Pentagon, the FBI and the NSA. US and French investigators worked together with their Greek counterparts to track down the hacker.

The authorities don't believe the teenager had accomplices during these attacks, although he is known to have collaborated with other hackers in other circumstances.

In addition to hacking, he is also believed to have been involved in cyber crime. Investigators claim that he tricked victims into downloading malicious browser toolbars which stole steal credit card details and online banking information.

According to Sfakianakis, the hacker had 130 "blank" cards which he wrote with stolen credit card data in order to perform fraudulent cash withdrawals. He used part of the illegally obtained funds to invest in almost 50 companies listed on the Athens stock exchange.

While searching the teenager's house, police also found a makeshift explosive device, flares and shotgun cartridges, although the hacker is not believed to be affiliated with any extremist groups.

The teenager will appear in court this week. If found guilty of all charges, he faces a prison sentence of at least five years.