VoIP Service Theft Fugitive Captured

tony — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:26:00 GMT

Edward Pena was arrested in Mexico yesterday. Pena was originally charged in 2006 with computer fraud and wire fraud for selling stolen VoIP service. Working with his partner Robert Moore, the two scanned networks to find open or poorly secured VoIP systems. Moore would deliver the information to Pena and Pena in turn used the information to sell more than 10 million stolen minutes of VoIP service from 15 different VoIP providers.

Pena's lucrative criminal enterprise netted him more than $1 million, enabling him to live a lavish lifestyle. Pena purchased real estate in Miami, a 40-foot Sea Ray Mercruiser boat, and a BMW M3 among other things with his ill-gotten gains.

Pena has been on the run for the past couple of years. Now that he has been apprehended he faces up to 25 years in prison. In this case justice will apparently be served. I am not sure however if any of the 15 victimized entities will be able to recover any of the income they lost in paying for the 10 million stolen minutes of VoIP service.

It is important that organizations understand the threats that exist to VoIP systems, and the security best practices necessary to protect against them. Performing a VoIP security assessment is the first step to ensuring that your VoIP system isn't targeted by the next 'Pena' that comes along.

Tony's Blog : threats

VoIP Service Theft Fugitive Captured