Obsessive loner, 21, jailed for sophisticated hacking scam that netted him Porsche and gold bullion

By Daily Mail Reporter

Alistair Peckover

Jailed: Alistair Peckover carried out a lucrative online fraud operation to feed his gambling habit

An 'obsessive loner' who carried out a sophisticated and lucrative online fraud operation to feed his gambling habit was jailed today.




Using sophisticated computer programmes, some of which he wrote himself, 'Peckover remotely viewed files of other computer users without their knowledge or consent.

He misused systems by such internationally known names as Google and BT and breached security barriers to target online betting sites and individual email accounts.



Police said Peckover then placed 'filters' on all the email accounts. Any email that contained key words including 'sort code', 'exp' or 'amazon' would be deleted from the user's inbox without them knowing.


Using a computer 'fake mail' programme, Peckover would take the identity of the original sender and continue correspondence with the victim.

Money recovered from Alistair Peckover

GainsL Police recovered this money following the computer hacker's arrest




Passports in three names he used were also found.





Porsche 911 Turbo

Flash lifestyle: The 21-year-old computer whizz spent the proceeds of his fraud on a Porsche and gold bullion (file pictures)


Profits he obtained from his method of deception were often moved into one of his many personal bank accounts, and some of it would be spent on expensive items.

Detective Constable Des Hamilton, of Sussex Police's major fraud unit, said: 'This is a classic example of a self-taught, obsessive loner with real computer skills but no concern for his impact on other people.


'He was caught time and again but seemed completely uncaring about others.





Further inquiries are being conducted by Sussex Police into Peckover's finances.

The property and cash seized has already been frozen and there will be a court confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seek to strip Peckover of everything found.

Both Google and BT were made aware of the security breaches and have made arrangements to prevent them happening again, a police spokesman said.