This is the blackmail letter Ashley Madison members receive to pay a ransom of $2000 in bitcoins
In August 2015, hackers belonging to the Impact Team hacked the online adultery website and stole a large amount of user data stored online. The data included details of Ashley Madison members including their likes and dislikes.
The leaked data led to a lot of problems for many members of the site with reports of two people committing suicide. When AM was hacked last year, its members had two options – confess to their significant other, or stay calm and hope they would be spared.
However, those who chose to remain calm received monetary demands from unknown extortionists. Even after almost 6 months, the Ashley Madison hack continues to hang over their heads like a sword of Damocles.
An AM member received such a letter and decided to share it on the Graham Cluley website for the world to see. His personal details, as well as those of another victim, have been redacted, but you can see the rest of the letter.
The letter, in which the user's name has been redacted to prevent his identity from being leaked, demanded that he pay $2000 in Bitcoin to prevent the blackmailer from making his name public to his relatives and loved ones. The blackmailer gave the member 10 days to pay the ransom or else…!
“You see, [….], if you do not comply with my request, I will not only ridicule you, but also those you love or know.”
If you had signed up for Ashley Madison and received a letter like this, what would you do?
