Internet Sting Operation Nets Six Attempting to Sell Stolen Data

   NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - An on-line invitation to buy stolen cellular
   telephone and credit card data led to the arrest of six people and the
   seizure of more than 20 computer systems, authorities said Monday.
   
   During an eight-month investigation, an undercover Secret Service
   agent using the name "Carder One" and a confidential informant
   operated a private computer bulletin board system called "Celco 51,"
   authorities said.
   
   Through the Internet, the undercover team advertised that Celco 51
   catered to those involved in computer fraud, court papers said.
   
   "What we really did was set up an old-fashioned 'swag shop' in
   cyberspace," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna A. Krappa, who is
   prosecuting the case. A swag shop is where stolen goods are traded.
   
   Two of the suspects were accused of conspiring to break into the
   computer system of McCaw Cellular in Portland, Ore., now AT&T
   Wireless. The others were accused of selling the numbers to peoples'
   cellular phones.
   
   AT&T Wireless says the loss of a single cellular phone code costs them
   $500.
   
   The six people were arrested in California, Michigan, Texas, and New
   York City. Authorities seized computer hardware and data in those
   states as well as Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey and Virginia.
   
   If convicted, defendants face maximum possible sentences ranging up to
   15 years.