Sentencing set for hacker who targeted Germans

BOSTON - Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts are looking for victims of an international computer hacking scheme that earned a New Hampshire man nearly $8 million in four years.

The U.S. District Attorney's office says Asu Pala of Hudson, N.H., and others infected computers in Germany with a program that forced telephone modems to secretly dial premium numbers rented by co-conspirators.

The telephone companies then sent a portion of the extra charges to people who rented the premium lines. The conspirators shared the money with the 37-year-old Pala.

Pala has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and five counts of failure to pay about $2.2 million in income taxes.

Prosecutors say those targeted by Pala's scheme should fill out a victim impact statement before his Feb. 28 sentencing.