Spyware Users and Author of Jealous Lover “Lover Spy” Spyware Program Indicted   - 2,849 Views, 2 Comments

Jealous Lover “Lover Spy” spyware author Carlos Enrique Perez-Melara has been arrested and indicted for creating and distributing the “Lover Spy” program, also known as a “jealous lover” program. Lover Spy allowed jealous lovers and others to remotely monitor and read the online communications, such as email, of their targets. It also allowed them to monitor their target’s movements across the web by reporting on what websites they visited, and other similar details.

The Lover Spy jealous lover program was transmitted to the user’s target when they would send their target, usually an ex-spouse or ex-lover, what appeared to be a harmless online greeting card. When their victim would open the “card”, the Lover Spy software would be installed on their computer without their knowledge.

The charges against Perez-Melara include “manufacturing, sending and advertising a surreptitious interception device and unauthorized access to protected computers.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Because Melara’s customers have also been arrested and indicted.

Jason Russell, of Gladstone, Missouri, was arrested after he purchased the Lover Spy program and sent it to his ex-wife. The twenty-eight year old Russell is charged with cyberstalking, to which he has plead guilty, and faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Similar charges were filed against Lover Spy users in Texas, Hawaii, and North Carolina.

Of course, this is not the first time that someone has been arrested and charged for spying on their spouse or ex using spyware. Earlier this year a Florida court ruled against a Florida woman who had installed spyware on her husband’s computer to gather evidence for their divorce case. Instead, her actions lead to evidence used against her under the Florida wiretapping laws.