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Global cyber crook walks free in order to aid authorities

An online crook has avoided a prison sentence in New Zealand despite admitting to cyber crime activity that is reported to have caused millions of dollars in losses.

Owen Thor Walker, who is only 18, walked free after the police expressed interest in securing his services following revelations by international investigators that his programming was "among the most advanced".

Walker, whose online handle is 'Akill' had been accused of being the mastermind of a group of international hackers who caused losses worth over £10 million through his programs.

The group is reported to have sent viruses around the world in addition to causing other online privacy issues by accessing personal data, according to Yahoo! News.

His activities came to light following a big investigation that involved New Zealand police, the FBI, the US Secret Service and Dutch authorities after an attack on the server at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006.

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