University student arrested for hacking and demanding a Rs 5 million ransom from software company owner

A university student who demanded a ransom of Rs 5 million from the owner of a software production company in Trincomalee after hacking into the company's software system was arrested today (Mar 29).

The suspect had caused a loss of Rs 19.3 million within five hours after hacking into the company's computer system.

It has been revealed that the losses were caused since 36 companies in India, UK, and Sri Lanka which were operating using softwares designed by this company had been affected as a result of the data breach.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect was ranked first in the Trincomalee district in the Technology Stream at the G.C.E Advanced Level examinations and was subsequently pursuing his higher education at a university in Colombo.

Further, it has been brought to light that the suspect's brother who was employed at the software company had provided his password to the suspect who had used it to hack into the computer system.

Following a court order, the suspect was traced and arrested using the phone number which he had used to threaten the owner of the company in order to obtain ransom. 

Meanwhile, the brother of the suspect and another individual have also been taken into custody by the Trincomalee police.