The office of Justice announced Tuesday that it had charged 11 citizens in connection with the hacking of nine major U.S. retailers and the theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers.

It is believed to be the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted by the division of Justice. The charges include conspiracy, computer intrusion, cheat and identity theft.

The indictment returned Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Boston alleges that the

humans charged hacked into the wireless computer networks of retailers including TJX Cos, BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW.

“While technology has made our lives much easier it has additionally created new vulnerabilities,” U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said in a statement. “This case clearly shows how strokes on a keyboard with a criminal purpose can have costly results.”

The indictment alleges that […]

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