Different things? Nothing virtual about the money being made online. Property is property, clear as that. Damaging property or stealing it is illegal.
I personally know how computers work, and am able to break into many servers without getting caught. I could also relatively easily create a hitbot that wouldn't get caught (and, because of this, I know there are most likely many people using hitbots that don't get caught), or a spam bot that wouldn't get me in trouble but that would bring in $$$.
However, does that make it right? Screwing other people is screwing other people, and these people are not virtual people. They live real lives that can suffer real damage from "virtual" actions.