A British court has ordered a teenage hacker to be detained in a secure hospital for his involvement in a series of cyberattacks that targeted the video game industry, including the makers of the popular “Grand Theft Auto” franchise.
Arion Kurtaj, 18, was part of a hacking group called Lapsus$ that breached the systems of Rockstar Games in 2022 and leaked footage from its upcoming “Grand Theft Auto 6” game. He also threatened to release the source code of the company’s previous titles online.
Kurtaj, who suffers from autism and was deemed unfit to stand trial, was found guilty of multiple charges of computer misuse, fraud and blackmail by a jury in August. He received an indefinite hospital order at Guildford Crown Court near London on Thursday, meaning he will remain under psychiatric care until he is no longer considered a danger.
Another member of the hacking group, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also convicted of similar offences and sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order on Thursday. The pair also hacked software giant Nvidia and telecom operators BT and EE, and demanded millions of dollars in ransom.
The case highlights the risks that young people face online and the serious consequences of engaging in cybercrime, according to City of London police. Detective chief superintendent Amanda Horsburgh said in a statement that parents should monitor their children’s online activities and report any suspicious behavior.
“Grand Theft Auto” is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, with its fifth instalment selling over 190 million copies and generating more than $8.5 billion in revenue since its release in 2013. The sixth instalment is expected to be released in 2025.
