LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A Romanian computer hacker and five Americans were indicted Wednesday in Los Angeles for allegedly plotting to steal $10 million worth of computer gear.
A federal grand jury charged the defendants with hacking into the computer system of Ingram Micro in Santa Ana and placing false orders for equipment to be sent to various addresses around the United States.
Calin Mateias of Bucharest, who uses on-line nickname "Dr. Mengele", allegedly hatched the scheme that also involved five Americans in their 20s who had the equipment shipped to their home addresses.
The U.S. Attorney's office said Mateias used the American recruits -- some of whom were in high school at the time -- because of U.S. restrictions on high-tech exports to Romania. The alleged accomplices either sent the products to Mateias or sold them in the United States and sent him the money.
Romanian authorities have pledged to help apprehend Mateias.
