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Russian hackers blackmail and demand ransom from Trump, Beckham, Hanks, Baldwin and others to prevent their personal data from being leaked

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Russian hackers blackmail and demand ransom from Trump, Beckham, Hanks, Baldwin and others to prevent their personal data from being leaked

The rich and famous are under blackmail by Russian hackers who claim to have stolen their personal data in a huge “virtual robbery” aimed at the jewelry company Graff, as revealed by the British newspaper Daily Mail in its Sunday edition.

According to this report, cybercriminals have already leaked 69,000 confidential documents to the so-called “dark web”, including files related to Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham and Seck Beckham. . They are apparently demanding tens of millions in ransom to stop the release of further sensitive information.

Who is behind the “virtual robbery”

The infamous Russian gang Conti is behind the data theft and claims that the published information, which involves about 11,000 good Graff clients, represents only 1% of the stolen files.

Cyber experts believe that blackmailers will demand payment in either undetectable currency in cyberspace, such as Bitcoin – or even in jewelry.

Cyber experts say hackers may have gained access to Graff's files by sending an email to deceive a staff member into opening a file containing an advanced ransomware computer virus.

This was the “back door” for hackers to steal company data, bypassing any antivirus software or firewall.

Russian hackers blackmail and demand ransom from Trump, Beckham, Hanks, Baldwin and others to prevent their personal data from being leaked

The British who fell victim – Who else is on the list

About 600 British clients are among the victims named so far, including Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone and former footballer and current coach Frank Lampard.

International superstars on the list include Hollywood actors Tom Hanks (photo), Samuel L. Jackson and Alec Baldwin.

Singer Tony Bennett also appears as a victim, while two addresses were published for Oprah Winfrey and seven for Donald and Melania Trump.

Russian hackers blackmail and demand ransom from Trump, Beckham, Hanks, Baldwin and others to prevent their personal data from being leaked

Who is Graff?

London-based Graff, founded by 83-year-old Lawrence Graf at the age of 18, said it had informed those whose personal data could be accessed.

However, a well-known British millionaire who bought a pair of yellow and white diamond earrings worth 237,000 pounds in January last year said he had not been notified.

Also, David Beckham and his wife Victoria appear as victims, as well as their eldest son Brooklyn who bought jewelry for the actress and his fiancée Nicolas Peltz.

Topshop's former boss, Sir Philip Green, and his wife, Lady Tina, are listed as Graff clients. Also named are Bahrain's Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh bin Jabr Al Thani Hamad bin Jassim.

Russian hackers blackmail and demand ransom from Trump, Beckham, Hanks, Baldwin and others to prevent their personal data from being leaked

The Conti Russians are the FBI's most wanted men

The infamous Conti gang of hackers in cyberspace has claimed responsibility for the daring “virtual robbery”, and its record already includes 400 targets, including government agencies in Scotland and Ireland.

Late last year, Scotland's Environmental Protection Agency also fell victim. More than 4,000 of the service's files leaked to the Internet when it refused to pay a ransom, but the case is believed to have cost around .000 800,000.

In May, the Conti gang infiltrated the Irish Health Service, disrupting the Covid-19 program and canceling patient appointments.

Source: politis.com.cy

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