Courts / Dublin / Report

IT specialist wanted "financial bounty" for security scam

Date
2020-02-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

An IT specialist, Alexander Jones, 33, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dishonestly operating a computer with intent to gain at Eircom. Between 4 February and 24 April 2014, while employed by a tech‑support firm for Eircom, Jones accessed confidential data, claiming it was through system vulnerabilities. Investigations found he copied data onto his personal laptop, including customer telephone conversations and insurance claims. The court described the offence as unusual, noting it caused worry for the company. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended three‑year sentence, ordering Jones to pay €15,000 to injured parties within a month and an additional €20,000 in a year. Jones, who had no prior convictions, had previously generated unauthorised Xbox discount codes and had been subject to a European arrest warrant. The case highlighted the misuse of IT skills for personal gain.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: IT specialist wanted "financial bounty" for security scam. Charges or matters: dishonestly operating a computer with intention of making a gain at Telephone House, Marlborough Street, Dublin, on a date between February 4, 2014 and April 24, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 4, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
April 24, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
March 2018 Incident
2020-02-11 Publication

Case subjects

Alexander Jones

Defendant

Charges: dishonestly operating a computer with intention of making a gain at Telephone House, Marlborough Street, Dublin, on a date between February 4, 2014 and April 24, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) An IT specialist who tried to get a "financial bounty" by falsely claiming he had uncovered vulnerabilities in Eircom's systems has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay €35,000. He handed down a suspended sentence of three years on the condition that Jones pay €15,000 to his injured parties within the month and a further €20,000 in a year's time.