Hacking probe police hold teenager

Press Association – Tue, Jun 21, 2011

A British teenager suspected of being a mastermind behind a notorious international computer hacking group has been arrested in a swoop by the FBI and Scotland Yard.

LulzSec has claimed responsibility for a number of online security breaches at organisations including the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency, the US Senate and the CIA, as well as the games firms Nintendo and Sony.

A 19-year-old man was arrested in a "pre-planned intelligence-led operation" in Wickford, Essex, the Metropolitan Police said.

The teenager is being questioned under the Computer Misuse Act and Fraud Act. He was arrested by officers from the force's e-crime unit.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The arrest follows an investigation into network intrusions and distributed denial of service attacks against a number of international business and intelligence agencies by what is believed to be the same hacking group.

"Searches at a residential address in Wickford, Essex, following the arrest last night have led to the examination of a significant amount of material. These forensic examinations remain ongoing."

The Met and Essex Police are working "in cooperation" with the FBI, the spokesman said.

The teenager remains in custody at a central London police station.

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