Eleven people, including a U.S. Secret Service informant, have been charged for hacking into unprotected wireless computer networks of retailers including TJX Cos., BJ's Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW and installing programs that capture card numbers, passwords and account information. They stole about 40 million credit card numbers and unknown amounts of money, according to court documents.

This is the largest case of identity theft and hacking ever prosecuted by the US Department of Justice.

The data was converted into cash by creating counterfeit credit and debit cards with the information and using the cards to withdraw money from ATMs.

Here are a few names of the ones charged on Tuesday: Albert Gonzalez of Miami with computer fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy and Christopher Scott and Damon Patrick Toey, both of Miami. Eight other foreigners who live outside the U.S.A. were also charged. One is from Estonia, three are from Ukraine, two are from China and one is from Belarus.

However Gonzales could be sentenced to life in prison, according to prosecutors. He had already been arrested for access device fraud in 2003. At the moment he is in custody in New York.

"As far as we know, this is the single largest and most complex identity theft case that's ever been charged in this country," U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said at a press conference in Boston.

The thefts were not considered a national security threat.