The Aftermath of Molotov Cocktail Attack Helps Imprison Belgium Hacker Who Launched DDoS Attacks

Brecht S, a 35-year-old Belgium hacker has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for past cyber crimes including throwing Molotov cocktail and launching DDoS attacks. He was first arrested in 2014 after throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Crelan Bank office in Rumbeke, and while doing so, he left a USB thumb drive on the ground while throwing the Molotov cocktail, thus leading to his identification.

On further examination of the USB thumb drive, details about the hacker were uncovered, which lead to the further investigation which revealed the past history of cyber crimes carried out by him.

Brecht launched DDoS attacks against Crelan's e-banking portal, causing service outages and disruptions on several occasions. Brecht acknowledged the attack in the court and stated that he launched the attack as a revenge for his mother’s financial losses worth €300,000 ($342,000).

The hacker was also an active member of the Anonymous Belgium and Cyber Crew hacking groups, launching attacks aimed at FIFA (The Fédération Internationale de Football Association).

He has also launched DDoS attacks against a pizza outlet, bringing down the restaurant’s website several times and demanding a ransom payment to stop the attacks.

The investigation also revealed that Brecht has exchanged hacking tools via Facebook with a co-conspirator from Bruges. Both the hackers together have involved in many other cyber-attacks.

Brecht has been charged to pay €3,000 ($3,400) to Crelan Bank as compensation for launching DDoS attacks.He has also been sentenced to three years in prison for throwing the Molotov cocktail. Additionally, he has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for past cyber crimes.