Algerian hacker Hamza Ben Dalaj’s return sparks controversy over his achievements and background.
The famous Algerian hacker Hamza Ben Dahaj returned to his country after spending several years in American prisons, where his return received a great deal of attention on social media. Ben Dahaj, who is considered one of the most dangerous hackers globally according to the US government’s classification, posted a picture of himself on Instagram on his way to Algeria, sparking discussions among internet users.
Hamza Ben Dahaj, known as the “Smiling Hacker,” is a prominent figure in the world of cyber piracy. He began his journey at an early age after graduating from Bab Ezzouar University as a computer engineer in 2008. During his career, Ben Dahaj managed to penetrate the systems of hundreds of global financial institutions, reportedly reaching bank accounts in 217 different institutions around the world.
Ben Dahaj faced numerous charges since 2011, including developing a famous spyware program called “SpyEye,” which he used with other hackers to breach millions of computers worldwide and steal sensitive information and bank account numbers. These operations made him a target for global authorities, resulting in his arrest in 2013 during a vacation in Thailand after an international chase led by Interpol.
Reports indicate that Ben Dahaj was extradited to the United States after his arrest, where he faced a lengthy trial that ended with a prison sentence. During his trial, he insisted that he was not a criminal or a terrorist, but claimed that he carried out piracy operations for humanitarian reasons.
Upon his return to Algeria, opinions were divided between those who see him as a popular hero whose expertise can be utilized to enhance cybersecurity in the country, and those who doubt the truth of the myths surrounding him, such as his support for Palestinians by donating stolen money to charities.
The story of Hamza Ben Dahaj attracts attention not only because of his hacking skills, but also because of the mystery surrounding the world of cybercrime, a world that has witnessed many prominent figures like the British teenager “Cracka,” who managed to hack the emails of top American officials at the age of sixteen, and the Russian Vladimir Levin who stole millions of dollars from Citibank in the nineties.
