Algerian hacker’s brother: who has 20 million dollars does not live in his brother-in-law’s house

Brother of Hamza Bendelladj accused of hacking private accounts amassing “huge amounts” in illicit earnings, up to $10 million at times said the 24-year-old Algerian would not be living at his brother-in-law’s house if he had all that money.

My brother has middle-school level

Boualam Bendelladj told Echorouk Hamza is not graduated in computer sciences and he was excluded from school after he had failed in middle-school final exams. Because of that, he started working to help his poor family.

He added that his brother was a simple vendor of cell phones and clothes in Algeria. He loves travelling and he did not stay a lot in front of the computer. He even did not have a Facebook account but he had a laptop.

He was living in his brother-in-law’s house

Speaking about Hamza’s trip to Malaysia, Boualam said his brother loves travelling and went to Malaysia to find a job. He obtained Malaysian nationality and he was travelling to Thailand from Malaysia. He is married with an Algerian woman and has a boy. He was living at his brother-in-law’s house because of housing crisis in Algeria.

“I am surprised of reports saying Hamza had a luxurious life. If he had all that money, he would not have let his family to live in one single room in Algiers before the State gave them a house. After his marriage, he went to live in his brother-in-law’s house. So, how can he travel on first class and spend millions while he did not have a house?”

This is why Hamza was smiling

Hamza went to Malaysia with his wife and son in late December 2012. He visited Algeria many times. His brother said he did not bring anything from there and he did not take anything from Algeria. He did not have a car. The last time he went to Malaysia was 20 days ago. He was accompanied with his wife and son. He told his family he would go to celebrate the New Year.

Boualam said his brother was smiling when he was arrested because he was surprised and impressed. “That must be a mistake in names.”

“I call on authorities to save him from the US intelligence”

Boualam said he hopes that Algerian authorities intervene for the release of his brother. “My brother cannot hack 217 banks.”

Hamza’s neighbors told Echorouk his family is poor and his mother suffers from high blood pressure. They used to live in one single room in Algiers before they had moved to a three-room-house.

His friends said he has been a boy scout since he was a child.

Hamza according to US intelligence

Immigration police chief in Thailand said Hamza spent most of the money he obtained “on travelling and a luxurious life, like flying first class and staying in luxury places.

Hamza is expected to be deported to the US where a court issued an arrest order against him.