Tag

Extortion

All articles tagged with #extortion

world15 days ago•43 min saved

Colombia Sting Nets 19-Year-Old in Affair-Extortion Case

In Ibagué, Colombia, a 19-year-old woman was arrested by GAULA for extortion tied to a married man’s alleged affair; authorities say she demanded 25 million pesos (about $6,000) to keep the relationship quiet and threatened to reveal information and leak private materials. She was caught collecting a partial payment and a cellphone was confiscated; charges have been filed but her identity has not been released and no court date is mentioned.

via Yahoo|

#affair #colombia #extortion

tech20 days ago•32 min saved

Telegram CEO says extortionist planted AI-edited CSAM to trigger App Store takedown

Telegram founder Pavel Durov says a takedown extortionist planted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public chat and edited it with AI to trigger Apple’s App Store removal. Telegram says Apple removed the app before contacting them and attackers used automated reports to pressure takedowns. The incident highlights potential systemic risk for any app hosting user-generated content and demonstrates evolving extortion tactics, with Telegram restoring the app within hours and Russia pursuing Durov in separate matters.

via theverge.com|

#app-store #apple #csam

technology20 days ago•9 min saved

Telegram CEO Blames Extortionist for Apple App Store Pull Over Backdated CSAM Tactics

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov says a takedown extortionist planted AI-modified CSAM in a public group to pressure Apple into removing Telegram from the App Store; Apple briefly pulled the app and restored it after Telegram removed the content. Durov warns this could pose a systemic risk to any mobile app hosting user-generated content, while Apple has not commented on the claim.

via MacRumors|

#app-store #csam #extortion

crime25 days ago•2 min saved

LA influencer Adva Lavie hit with new felony charge in Beverly Hills arrest

Los Angeles model and influencer Adva Lavie (aka Mia Ventura) was arrested again in Beverly Hills on a felony charge, part of a case in which prosecutors allege she used dating apps to befriending and burglarize or extort victims across LA-area communities; she previously faced six felony counts and was released with an ankle monitor. A related investigation also involves billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who was arrested on a warrant tied to Lavie’s alleged witness interference.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#adva-lavie #beverly-hills #burglary

us-news1 month ago•29 min saved

Global Bishnoi Gang Dismantled in Massive U.S.-Canada-Europe Raids

Federal agents led a global takedown of the Bishnoi Gang spanning the U.S., Canada and Europe, conducting about 50 raids and arresting at least 11 in California as part of Operation Hard Ball. Authorities say the India-based gang engaged in extortion, drug trafficking and killings, and is designated as a terrorist organization by Canada; the crackdown followed years-long investigations into three Indian crime syndicates and involved the FBI, LAPD and RCMP. The operation yielded seizures of more than 2,200 pounds of cocaine and heroin, $40,000 in cash and a dozen firearms, with dozens more suspects still affected across borders and fugitive searches ongoing.

via New York Post|

#bishnoi-gang #drug-trafficking #extortion

world1 month ago•7 min saved

US-led arrests target India-based crime rings linked to Nijjar killing

U.S. prosecutors say 24 suspects across the U.S., Canada and Europe have been arrested in a years-long probe into three India-based organized crime groups, including the Bishnoi gang, accused of extortion, drug trafficking and targeted killings. The case ties to the 2023 assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia; 37 defendants are charged across three indictments, with Satinderjeet “Goldy Brar” Singh at large and Lawrence Bishnoi in prison since 2015. Canada had previously designated Bishnoi as a terrorist entity. Authorities also seized about 1,000 kg of cocaine, 1 kg of heroin, $40,000 and several firearms as part of the operation, which involved the FBI, LAPD, RCMP and U.S. CBP.

via BBC|

#bishnoi-gang #drug-trafficking #extortion

crime1 month ago•2 min saved

FBI: Some ransom notes in Nancy Guthrie disappearance may be legitimate

The FBI says ransom notes in Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona disappearance are split: some extortion demands are deemed illegitimate, while others remain under investigation as potentially legitimate in a kidnapping-for-ransom case, contrary to Reuters’ report that notes were fake; investigators tested one note with cryptocurrency but left the funds, and the search continues after surveillance showed a masked man on Guthrie’s porch.

via The Guardian|

#arizona #crime #extortion

technology3 months ago•5 min saved

Smart Glasses Turn Real-Life Encounters Into Extortion

A British woman says a man wearing smart glasses filmed her without consent and later demanded payment to remove the footage, highlighting how wearable cameras can be used for extortion and how influencer-driven content can invade privacy; police have limited leads and platforms have removed the video, underscoring privacy risks in wearable tech and social media dynamics.

via nypost.com|

#consent #extortion #influencer-culture

technology3 months ago•4 min saved

Canvas breach uses XSS to deface portals and pressure ransom campaigns

Instructure confirmed attackers exploited multiple cross-site scripting flaws in the Canvas Free-for-Teacher environment to hijack authenticated admin sessions, deface login portals, and trigger a ransom demand by ShinyHunters. The initial breach exposed data from about 8,809 educational organizations, with ShinyHunters claiming as many as 275 million records stolen; the defacement itself did not involve direct data loss, and Canvas has since been restored after a temporary shutdown.

via BleepingComputer|

#canvas #cybersecurity #data-breach

business3 months ago•2 min saved

Bucks Co-Owner Wes Edens Identified as Victim in $1B Extortion Case

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens has been identified as the victim in a federal extortion case alleging a $1 billion blackmail plot tied to a brief romantic relationship; prosecutors say Changli Luo threatened to release intimate photos and videos unless Edens paid more than $1 billion, with Edens previously agreeing to a $6.5 million settlement; the case is headed to trial later this year, Luo is free on bond, and Edens’ spokesperson says he will testify under oath.

via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|

#blackmail #business #extortion

technology3 months ago•1 min saved

Hidden-recording eyewear sparks extortion risks in public spaces

A London woman was secretly filmed by a man wearing camera-equipped smart glasses; the clip appeared online and was used in an extortion bid demanding payment for removal. Despite platform takedowns, copies circulated, highlighting how discreet wearables enable abuse and ambient AI data capture, even as Meta's Ray-Ban eyewear denies facial recognition and third-party tools can identify people.

via extremetech.com|

#extortion #privacy #smart-glasses

gadgets3 months ago•15 min saved

Extortion via Smart Glasses Stirs Privacy Alarm

A London woman was covertly filmed by a man wearing smart glasses, who then demanded payment to remove the video from social media; the BBC says the clip circulated online, was briefly removed after TikTok rules were cited, and the incident underscores rising privacy concerns around camera-equipped glasses, with police saying there isn’t enough information to launch an investigation yet.

via Gizmodo|

#extortion #gadgets #privacy

crime4 months ago•1 min saved

Southern California crackdown nets 43 indictments against Mexican Mafia

Federal authorities arrested more than two dozen members and associates of the Mexican Mafia in a Southern California crackdown, with 43 people indicted on charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking. Authorities seized about 120 pounds (54 kg) of meth and more than 8 pounds (over 4 kg) of fentanyl, along with 25 firearms and $30,000. An incarcerated leader allegedly ran the operation via contraband cellphones from June 2024 to April this year, directing kidnappings, assaults and street‑level drug trafficking and providing security for illegal gambling; a murder at a motel in Anaheim is also tied to the case. Defendants are set to appear in federal court in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

via The Guardian|

#california-crackdown #crime #drug-trafficking

technology4 months ago•4 min saved

Vercel Breach: Hackers Claim to Sell Stolen Data as Company Investigates

Vercel disclosed a security incident with unauthorized access to internal systems. A threat actor claiming to be part of ShinyHunters is advertising stolen data for sale, including access keys, source code, and employee records. Vercel says services remain unaffected, is working with incident responders and law enforcement, and has advised impacted customers to review environment variables and rotate secrets; the authenticity of the leaked data and any exposed credentials remain unconfirmed.

via BleepingComputer|

#cybersecurity #data-breach #extortion

business5 months ago•8 min saved

Paramount Skydance Chief Alleges Extortion Tied to South Park Negotiations and Death Threats

Paramount Skydance president Jeff Shell counters RJ Cipriani’s $150 million suit by alleging Cipriani orchestrated a shakedown around South Park talks, including death threats and a 24/7 security detail, using media leaks and a web of alleged connections to pressure Shell, with broader Hollywood legal drama and ties to former executives emerging.

via Page Six|

#business #extortion #jeff-shell