Three former United States intelligence operatives have admitted having violated U.S hacking laws and prohibitions by hacking U.S systems and selling critical and sensitive military technology information to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The operatives include; Ryan Adams, Daniel Gericke and Marc Baier. The three were part of Raven-a clandestine unit which helped the UAE to spy on its enemies.
Raven was under command of the monarchy of the UAE, it hacked into accounts of rival governments, human rights activists and journalists among other parties of interest.
According to court documents filed in U.S. federal court in Washington, D.C, the three pleaded guilty of hacking into United States computer networks and exporting sophisticated cyber intrusions tools without the required permission from the U.S government.
In efforts to avoid prosecution, the three made a deal with federal authorities to pay $1.69 million and never again seek an American security clearance- a job requirement which includes access to national security secrets.
“Hackers-for-hire and those who otherwise support such activities in violation of U.S. law should fully expect to be prosecuted for their criminal conduct,” said Mark J. Lesko, acting assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Divisoin.
