By Khalida Sarwari
A former California Water Service auditor has been convicted of hacking into company computers in an attempt to steal more than $9 million by wire transfers, Santa Clara County prosecutors announced today.
Abdirahman Ismail Abdi, 34, has been charged with felony grand theft, to which he pleaded no contest on Wednesday, according to prosecutors.
He will be sentenced to four years and four months in state prison as part of a plea agreement.
Abdi is alleged to have stolen two of his employer’s computer access codes in an attempt to wire transfer more than $9 million dollars into offshore bank accounts, prosecutors said.
The banks, however, detected illegal activity within hours of the transfers and prevented Abdi from withdrawing the funds.
Prosecutors said he fled to Great Britain, from where he was extradited.