'Pimpshiz', the hacker who sprayed pro-Napster messages on hundreds of Web sites last year, may have been caught.

US police raided the home of a 17-year-old last month after being tipped off by the FBI, a fact they confirmed to CNet late last week.

There's certainly no doubt that Pimpshiz broke into and deface a host of big-name Web sites last year. But whether the target of the police action is the hacker in question isn't known for sure. The police seized a stack of computer equipment which is now being investigated by the FBI, who hope to find proof that the lad is indeed Pimpshiz.

The police are also hoping to learn whether the boy also illegally obtained others' credit card details, which could lead to more serious charges than the hacking rap.

The teenager himself admitted to the newswire that he is 'Pimpshiz', but it appears he has yet to be charged by police with the site defacement, the credit card thing or both. According to the local DA's office, no decision has yet be taken as to whether charges will be proferred.

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