Student created computer program to defraud telecoms company

A 24-year-old accounts student created a program which generated credit card numbers and thus defrauded Go Mobile of at least €3,735 to fund his drug problem, a court heard today.

Andrew Depasquale of Naxxar, who is also a full time cameraman, admitted in court that he produced the program which created the numbers complete with safety features.

The program then checked and verified the numbers with a website and used them to create Go Mobile accounts to purchase talk time, which he sold to third parties. He then used the cash to buy drugs.

Mr Depasquale admitted to defrauding Go of €3,735. Another €3,915 had been declined by the bank.

Go Mobile lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young confirmed that the company still had to identify the full amount involved in the operation.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke put Mr Depasquale on probation for three years on condition that he pays the money back within one year and attends a drug rehabilitation programme.

Drs Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.