$36M Stolen Credit Card Hacker Pleads Guilty

Maybe next time they'll nab an Internet scam artist named Fisher. For now, the guilty plea by Rogelio Hackett, Jr. to charges related to a nine-year-long computer hacking operation that generated millions in fraudulent credit card charges will have to serve as this week's dose of serendipity.

Hackett, 26, pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft in a Virginia federal court Thursday, according to reports. The Georgia resident had been trafficking in stolen credit card information since 2002, according to prosecutors.

Authorities discovered more than 675,000 stolen credit card numbers on Hackett's home computers during a 2009 search of his residence. He sold much of the credit card information he gained through his computer hacking exploits to others, according to court documents.

Accounts breached by Hackett have been identified by credit card companies as generating more than $36 million in fraudulent transactions. Hackett began his career in cybercrime by hacking into business computer networks and accessing credit card databases, according to authorities, but was also known to purchase account information from other cybercriminals.

Hackett faces a maximum of 12 years in prison and will be sentenced in July.