Young hacker gets 20 months for online fraud

A YOUNG computer hacker who carried out a sophisticated and lucrative online fraud operation to feed his gambling habit was jailed yesterday.

Alistair Peckover, 21, bought a Porsche, expensive watches and more than £30,000 (€24,000) worth of gold bullion using the proceeds from his complex scam.

Detectives said he systematically defrauded legitimate online businesses and unsuspecting members of the public with his self-taught computer skills.