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Hamza Bendelladj

Hamza Bendelladj is an Algerian hacker known by the alias BX1 and the nickname "Smiling Hacker." He became widely known for his role in the SpyEye malware operation, which targeted banking credentials and caused major financial losses.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hamza Bendelladj is an Algerian hacker known by the alias BX1 and the nickname "Smiling Hacker." He became widely known for his role in the SpyEye malware operation, which targeted banking credentials and caused major financial losses. He was arrested in Thailand in 2013 and later sentenced in the United States to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

Background

Bendelladj was born in 1988 and is identified in sources as being from Algeria, including Tizi Ouzou. He became known online under the alias BX1.

SpyEye malware case

He was accused of helping develop and distribute SpyEye, a banking Trojan used to steal financial credentials. U.S. prosecutors said the malware caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to the financial industry worldwide.

Arrest and conviction

Bendelladj was arrested in Thailand in 2013 and extradited to the United States. In 2016, he received a 15-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release.

Public image

International media frequently highlighted his smiling mugshot, which led to the "Smiling Hacker" nickname. This image contributed to public interest in his case beyond the underlying cybercrime allegations.

Key facts

  • Hamza Bendelladj is an Algerian cyberhacker associated with the alias BX1.
  • He was nicknamed the "Smiling Hacker" in media coverage.
  • U.S. authorities linked him to the development and distribution of SpyEye malware.
  • SpyEye was used to steal banking information and caused large financial losses.
  • Bendelladj was arrested in Thailand in 2013 and later extradited to the United States.
  • In 2016, he was sentenced in U.S. federal court to 15 years in prison.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Hamza Bendelladj?
He is an Algerian hacker known as BX1 and nicknamed the "Smiling Hacker."
What is he known for?
He is known for his role in developing and distributing SpyEye malware used in banking fraud.
When was he arrested?
He was arrested in Thailand in 2013.
What sentence did he receive?
A U.S. federal court sentenced him to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
Why was he called the Smiling Hacker?
Media reports used that nickname because of his smiling photos during coverage of the case.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Bendelladj
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, alias BX1, and nickname "Smiling Hacker"
  2. U.S. Department of Justice — https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/two-major-international-hackers-who-developed-spyeye-malware-get-over-24-years-combined
    Supports: SpyEye case, role attributed to Bendelladj, and 15-year sentence
  3. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Bendelladj
    Supports: Algerian identity, Tizi Ouzou origin, SpyEye allegations, and sentence details
  4. Hackcur.io — https://hackcur.io/the-three-faces-of-hamza-bendelladj-the-smiling-hacker/
    Supports: Arrest in Thailand, extradition, and media nickname context