Hacking Arrest Drama: Did Anonymous Shop Lulzsec to Cops?

As we reported earlier, a 19 year-old man from Essex has been arrested as a suspect in the international hunt for the people behind Lulzsec. He has now been named as Ryan Cleary from Wickford.

Intriguingly, back in May we reported that the Anonymous hacking group had itself been the target of online action. It announced that, "We regret to inform you today that our network has been compromised by a former IRC-operator and fellow helper named 'Ryan'." Today the UK police have named 19 year-old Ryan Cleary has the man arrested today as a suspected 'mastermind' of the Lulzsec hacking group.

Local paper, the Southend Standard, reports that:

"A suspected computer hacking mastermind arrested in Essex as part of a swoop by the FBI and Scotland Yard was named by sources today as Ryan Cleary, 19."

A Scotland Yard spokesman commented that, "Searches at a residential address in Wickford, Essex, following the arrest last night have led to the examination of a significant amount of material. These forensic examinations remain ongoing."

There is no evidence yet to conclude that following a fall-out between Anonymous and 'Ryan' the Anon' group could possibly have provided a 'bit of a steer in the right direction' to the authorities.

For it's part, Lulzsec appears unconcerned, tweeting earlier: "Seems the glorious leader of LulzSec got arrested, it's all over now... wait... we're all still here! Which poor bastard did they take down?"