Marcel Lehel – ‘Guccifer’ Arrested: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Cops in Romania have arrested the man they believe is the infamous hacker “Guccifer,” reports Reuters. His name is Marcel Lehel, 40, from Romania. He accused of breaking into the email accounts of both George W. Bush and Colin Powell and republishing their messages online for the world to see.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. The U.S. Were Involved in His Capture

He was arrested in the Romanian city of Arad in a combined effort by both U.S. and Romanian cops. Authorities in Romania are refusing to comment on “Guccifer’s” activities outside of Romania.

2. He Just Got Out of Prison

He was just paroled in February 2012 after serving three-years in prison for hacking into personal emails and Facebook accounts of prominent Romanians. Those hacked included the head of the Romanian Intelligence Service, George Maior, reports Romania Insider.

3. He Allegedly Outed President Bush as a Painter

The name “Guccifer” first entered the public conscience through his alleged hacking into the emails of former President George W. Bush. Through the leaking it emerged that Bush was a keen painter since leaving the presidency.

(Facebook)

Then in the summer of 2013, Lehel, under his pseudonym, ‘Guccifer,’ is accused of hacking into the emails of Colin Powell. It created a minor scandal in which emails between Powell and Romanian politician Corina Cretu. This led to Powell being forced to deny a romantic affair with Cretu.

4. If You Haven’t Been Hacked by ‘Guccifer,’ You’re Nobody

Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell. (Getty)

The list of those allgedly hacked by “Guccifer” reads like a supreme A-list of entertainers and politicians. It includes, Candace Bushnell, Rupert Everett, Carl Bernstein, The New Yorker Editor Tina Brown, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, as well as former Secretary of the Air Force George Roche.

5. Sometimes He Just Guessed Passwords

(Getty)

Lehel, who as well as “Guccifer,” operated under the name “The Small Fume, apparently used a variety of methods to gain access to private accounts. One of his tactics was as simple as guessing, according to Reuters.

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