Snooping gang was 'influenced by London group' - hacker

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 6 - An alleged Milan-based snooping gang accused of compiling dossiers on commission by harvesting data from highly sensitive national databases was "influenced" by an unidentified "group of people abroad", in particular in London, computer technician Massimiliano Camponovo, who is under house arrest in connection with the case, has told prosecutors.
    The activities of the hacking gang, which allegedly revolved around Enrico Pazzali's Equalize investigative company, had a "hierarchically superior foreign dimension" with "disquieting" connections in particular with Samuele Calamucci, an alleged hacker and aide to ex supercop Carmine Gallo, suspected of being the ringleader by Milanese anti-mafia investigative directorate DDA and by the National anti-mafia and anti-terror directorate DNA probing the case.
    Both Gallo and Calamucci have been arrested.
    "I know I was in the wrong", Camponovo told prosecutors during questioning on Tuesday, admitting his responsibility and saying he is "scared" by what he described as the "obscure hand" that influenced the gang's activities, investigative sources said Wednesday. (ANSA).