/ 11 August 2003

Suspected Absa hacker in court

Suspected Absa hacker Johannes Jacobus Fourie made his third brief appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday following his arrest last month after the bank accounts of Absa clients were hacked and more than R500 000 removed.

At his previous appearance last Monday the case was postponed to Monday for a possible bail application.

Fourie’s counsel, Sakkie Maartens, was absent at Monday’s court proceedings and Fourie’s attorney, Chris Watney, said he needed a further postponement to finalise Fourie’s residential address and to obtain financial security.

It was understood Fourie was no longer living at his parental home in Ridgeworth.

Fourie is alleged to have defrauded at least 10 Absa clients out of more than R500 000 between May 12 and July 18 after gaining access to their electronic accounts.

The alleged hacker used spy software, which can be downloaded free from the internet, and used it to obtain personal details of bank customers.

The case was postponed at the request of prosecutor Anthony Stephen of the local directorate for public prosecutions to September 16 for further investigation. – Sapa