Tag

Extortion

All articles tagged with #extortion

us-news3 days 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

world3 days 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

crime9 days 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

technology2 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

technology2 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

business2 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

technology2 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

gadgets2 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

crime2 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

technology2 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

business3 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

business3 months ago•21 min saved

Paramount Skydance Chief Denies Leaks, Calls Extortion Plot a Shakedown

Paramount Skydance president Jeff Shell and the company filed a cross-claim denying Cipriani’s suit that Shell leaked confidential Paramount information, calling Cipriani’s claims an extortionate shakedown and defamatory. Shell says Cipriani fabricated claims to pressure a settlement after an alleged 18‑month relationship and crisis‑communications work, and seeks damages and an injunction, while Cipriani had sought about $150 million over alleged services and later leaked drafts to media.

via Variety|

#business #defamation #extortion

politics3 months ago•2 min saved

Pardon-linked attorney charged in Brooklyn extortion case over unpaid fees

A New York lawyer tied to a Donald Trump pardon is charged in Brooklyn with attempted Hobbs Act extortion for allegedly threatening a former client and the client’s son over a roughly $500,000 debt, including directing an enforcer to intimidate them. Nass faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted and was released on a $5 million bond secured by multiple properties and GPS monitoring. Prosecutors note Nass had earlier been paid about $100,000 for advocacy related to executive clemency and Trump’s pardon of Joseph Schwartz, underscoring ongoing questions about lobbying’s role in presidential clemency.

via The Guardian|

#brooklyn-federal-court #extortion #hobbs-act

politics3 months ago•5 min saved

Lobbyist Arrested in Extortion Plot Linked to Trump Pardon Efforts

A lobbyist and attorney, Josh Nass, was arrested in Manhattan on an extortion charge tied to a client who had received a presidential pardon. Nass had been paid to press for clemency for Joseph Schwartz, a former nursing-home executive, and allegedly tried to collect a remaining $500,000 by threatening Schwartz’s son, with investigators recording conversations in both Russian and English. The case underscores conflicts around clemency lobbying and private extortion schemes in the Trump era.

via The New York Times|

#clemency #extortion #fbi

world6 months ago•2 min saved

Beheaded warning on Ecuador beach highlights surge in gang violence

Five severed heads were hung on posts at Puerto López beach in Ecuador with a message threatening extortion by gangs, illustrating a spike in violence tied to drug-cartel activity; authorities note a record homicide rate in 2025 and ongoing government efforts, as gangs operate across Colombia and Peru transit routes.

via CBS News|

#crime #ecuador #extortion