Man faces court over Northern Beaches school fraud

Police will allege in court the malware on the school computers were in various stages of development and deployment, with at least 41 members of staff having had information including their credit card details captured.

Commander of State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft praised the Department of Education for identifying this issue so early.

“The department’s cyber team have a robust system able to detect these types of offences, and it’s through their diligent work that this issue was reported early, and the offender detained quickly,” Det Supt Craft said.

“Teachers and staff at our schools are in a position of responsibility and privilege; and anyone that abuses that position will be dealt with accordingly by law enforcement.”

Pennesi was briefly mentioned in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday. He will re-appear in the same court next month.