Hacker behind biggest data heist in history pleads guilty

Will be sentenced in December

16 September 2008 16:15 GMT / By Katie Scott

One of 11 hackers behind what is claimed to have been the largest consumer data heist in history has pleaded guilty.

Damon Patrick Toey was part of a team that, in 2007, hacked a massive customer database housed at the corporate headquarters of highstreet retailer Marshalls.

The criminals also targeted Barnes and Noble, OfficeMax, and stole over 40 million creditcard numbers as well as masses of personal data, including social security numbers.

Toey pleaded guilty to helping the group steal the information but is believed to have made a deal with the prosecution to get a more lenient deal in exchange for giving information.

The leader of the group of hackers, Albert Gonzalez, is currently denying the charges, but could face a life sentence if he is convicted.