Three Florida International University (FIU) students have been arrested and charged for hacking into a professor's computer and stealing and distributing question papers for $150 per copy.
According to the police officials, Alex Fabian Anaya, a 30-year-old FIU alumnus, gained unauthorised access to four test papers by logging into a professor's email account in 2012. He is also accused of organizing a distribution system, Sun Sentinel reports.
Anaya has been charged with one count each of third-degree grand theft, dealing in stolen property and burglary of an unoccupied structure. Currently, he is being held on a $12,500 bond.
Two current students, Krissy Alexandra Lamadrid and Jason Anthony Calderon, have been charged for dealing in stolen property.
According to online court records, Calderon faces one count of dealing in stolen property and LaMadrid faces six counts of dealing in stolen property. LaMadrid is currently being held on a $32,500 bond, NBC Miami reports.
According to the police report, Anaya "stated that he was well aware that his actions were illegal" and both Lamadrid and Calderon were well aware that the exams were stolen property.
"FIU will pursue all avenues to ensure that everyone who is involved is held accountable," FIU said. "Also, pertinent policies and procedures will be reviewed in light of this investigation."
The Florida academic community said that although there hasn't been any increase in cheating in recent times, it is now being done through more sophisticated ways.
"Cheating has been going on for a long time, but what has changed is the technology," said Ralph Rogers, provost at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. "There are very small devices, essentially a watch, where you can access the Internet, and that has become a challenge."
