ATLANTA, GA. — Internet Service Provider EarthLink says an investigation by its own internal team helped lead to the cracking of an identity theft ring.
A federal indictment against six people was unveiled this week in New Haven, CN. The six face identity theft, conspiracy and fraud charges.
EarthLink had investigated a phisher site for a year. Phisher sites attempt to lure Internet users to websites that appear to be real corporate websites then steal charge card and other information.
“Phisher sites are a dangerous and fast-growing type of identity theft,” said Lindsey Wegrzyn, operations security enforcement advisor for EarthLink. “Searching for the origins of these hoaxes and providing evidence to law enforcement are part of EarthLink’s ongoing effort to put spammers out of business and protect the integrity of the Internet.
“We applaud the actions of Connecticut’s U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing the perpetrators of online fraud to justice,” he added.
Four Connecticut and two Florida men have been charged in the case. Three of the six have already pled guilty, EarthLink reported.
EarthLink: www.earthlink.net
