Israeli police arrests Mexican Bitcoin blackmail 

A 34 year old man was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on suspicion he had stolen information during the last few months and demanded Bitcoin worth millions of shekels in order not to disclose information.

Cyber police unit 433 arrested a former Israeli Ben Gurion Airport, 34 who lived in Mexico for alleged crimes of extortion and ransom worth millions of dollars. His detention was extended by four days and at the request of his lawyer publication of his name was banned at this point.

The investigation began last year, including surf anonymous darknet network. It is suspected that he used to break into computers from his residence in Mexico and stole insider information from companies, including publicly traded. Furthermore, he forced the owners of companies that if they did not pay him an amount of bitcoins he would expose the information and thus will cause them harm.

In return for not publishing the information, the man demanded ransoms in Bitcoins worth millions of dollars. Police began an undercover investigation following a complaint filed, including impersonation on the same network to try to get to it. Eventually he was located and police began to follow him. It is suspected that another man, a lawyer, helped him.

Police recently found out that his wife is expected to come to Israel to give birth to their second son. Then it became clear that he would come to the event and the morning landed in Israel, where police were waiting for him, they immediately arrested him.

During the hearing, police investigator claimed that there is a suspicion of obstructing an investigation and declined to specify whether it included wiretaps. He said, “This is one of the most serious crimes”. Attorneys Avi Amiram cedar and oak representing the suspect from Mexico said: “My client denies any connection to the affair.”

The investigation continues and if found guilty, may land the alleged in jail for a substantial amount of time even if he demanded a virtual currency in ransoms.

Source: ynet-Israeli police arrests Mexican Bitcoin blackmail

 

 

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