Blackmailing Ashley Madision Users for Bitcoins

[Aquatica]

Link: www.coindesk.com/blackmailers-demand-bitcoin-from-ashley-madison-users/

An American has received a blackmail email demanding payment in bitcoin after user data from the extramarital affair platform Ashley Madison was leaked.



The email, provided to CoinDesk and dated 20th August, was sent by an entity calling itself “Team GrayFlay” and contained the individual’s name and personal address. The user was instructed to send a payment in bitcoin or face exposure.



Publicly available search tools confirm that the customer's email address was used to register an account at Ashley Madison.



Earlier this week, a hacker group operating under the name Impact Team released a trove of data containing account details for approximately 32 million users, including tens of thousands tied to government and corporate email accounts. A second release included the site’s source code as well as emails attributed to Noel Biderman, CEO of Avid Life Media, the company that owns Ashley Madison.



The message stated that the user had seven days after receipt of the email to pay the requested amount.



“Unfortunately your data was leaked in the recent hacking of Ashley Madison and I now have your information. If you would like to prevent me from finding and sharing this information with your significant other send exactly 2.00000054 bitcoins (approx. Value $450 USD) to the following address…”



The message also contained a link to the CoinDesk bitcoin ATM map and bitcoin exchange market LocalBitcoins, suggesting that “if you need help locating a place to purchase BTC you can start here”.



“If you are already divorced then I suggest you think about how this information may impact any ongoing court proceedings,” the message noted. “If you are no longer in a committed relationship then think about how this will affect your social standing amongst family and friends.”



The incident does not appear to be isolated. New Zealand tabloid site Stuff reports that an Auckland man received a message containing identical language, including a warning about the cost of legal representation during a divorce.



It is unclear at present how many more customers have received such messages, though given that the information is publicly available, more blackmail attempts are likely to occur.



The blackmail attempts come shortly after speculation in the media that Ashley Madison users face such risks.



Many observers have criticized Avid Life Media for negligent security practices resulting in the data breach. The company has said that it is working with law enforcement and, according to a recent statement, would "seek to hold the guilty parties accountable to the strictest measures of the law".



Avid Life Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Blackmail image via Shutterstock



Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the second Impact Team leak contained "millions" of emails attributed to Avid Life Media CEO Noel Biderman.


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Had a friend receive one of these emails as well.

[ESF]

I love how the hackers thought they were doing everyone this big favor and taking a huge stand. This is an epic shitstorm.

[omgzombies]

Damn, if I'm going to blackmail someone, it's going to be for something a heck of a lot more valuable than $450 of bitcoin. I'll take cash please, and Ima gonna need more than three figures.

[ttt]

If the information is already leaked and public, I don't see how this is really blackmailable?? Am I missing something?

[LoveTrains]

Aug 23, 2015 16:30:50 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

Damn, if I'm going to blackmail someone, it's going to be for something a heck of a lot more valuable than $450 of bitcoin. I'll take cash please, and Ima gonna need more than three figures.

I read something before about how people are more likely to pay if it's a reasonable amount like this.

It's like the hackers who give you a virus that locks your computer. You get a ransom of $500ish to be paid in bitcoins. If you pay it they give you a code to unlock your stuff and it's over. If you ignore the price only goes up.

But if you pay right away they hold up their end of the bargain. I wonder if they figure they make more money in the long run by having more people do it because he payment amount is within reach.

[gibbinator]

Tangent here, but I just realized that the number of users on the list leaked is about equal to the population of Canada. That's kind of incredible.

[IIOY]

Aug 23, 2015 16:32:56 GMT -5 ttt said:

If the information is already leaked and public, I don't see how this is really blackmailable?? Am I missing something?

This was my reaction. I actually laughed at this:  "though given that the information is publicly available, more blackmail attempts are likely to occur."



Perhaps they are counting on most people not being aware of this leak and/or bothering to search for their SO?

[laurenpetro]

Bitcoins? Lolololllllll 4evah.

[ESF]

Aug 23, 2015 17:47:02 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Aug 23, 2015 16:32:56 GMT -5 ttt said:

If the information is already leaked and public, I don't see how this is really blackmailable?? Am I missing something?

This was my reaction. I actually laughed at this:  "though given that the information is publicly available, more blackmail attempts are likely to occur."



Perhaps they are counting on most people not being aware of this leak and/or bothering to search for their SO?

Yes and that employers aren't looking up employees. I am sure plenty of companies and organizations with morality clauses aren't spending their time digging around through this list.

Or parents aren't searching their kids' teachers and daycare workers and Sunday School workers.

Nobody is digging around for city council members or the Rotary president or the local minister.

I could see someone in any of these positions being willing to pay a few hundred bucks to keep it quiet and protect their reputation in the community.

[seenoevil]

I think they may have the actual data. Like messages exchanged. People contacted. Not just the fact they were on the list.

[emilyj]

I mean...ok? The info is already out there. I'd be more concerned about identity theft through CC info than small