Briton extradited from Germany for allegedly hacking two UK banks

Services at Lloyds and Barclays banks were disrupted by the cyber attacks in January, the National Crime Agency said in a statement following a joint investigation with Germany’s federal crime bureau BKA.

The attack on Lloyds Banking Group lasted three days and prevented some customers using their online accounts, although a bank spokeswoman said that no customer details or accounts were compromised.

Daniel Kaye, 29, allegedly orchestrated so-called distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, having developed software that allowed him to control up to 1.5 million computers all over the world.

He also faces a charge that he “endangered human welfare” with an alleged cyber attack against Lonestar MTN, Liberia’s biggest internet provider, the NCA said in its statement on Wednesday.

The dual British and Israeli citizen was extradited on Wednesday on a European arrest warrant.

“The investigation leading to these charges was complex and crossed borders,” said Luke Wyllie, senior operations manager at the NCA.

“Cyber crime is not victimless and we are determined to bring suspects before the courts,” he said.

The attack is estimated it cost Lloyds £190,000 ($244,000, 206,000 euros) and Barclays around £146,000.

Kaye faced nine charges under the Computer Misuse Act as he appeared at Thursday’s hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Kaye was remanded in custody until his next hearing.