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By Mel Duvall
The FBI says it has nabbed a cyber-extortionist who attempted to take a New York-based life insurance company for $200,000 by threatening to send out millions of spam e-mails making false claims against the company. If the insurance company failed to comply with his deadline, he threatened to increase his price to stop the scam to $3 million.
The FBI says the case demonstrates how easy it has become for disgruntled employees, customers or criminals to use the Internet to make damaging claims against a company or individual.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI in a Manhattan federal court, Anthony Digati, a 52-year-old resident of Chino, Calif., sent a threatening e-mail to more than a dozen employees, executives and one board member of the unnamed life insurance company on Feb. 22. The e-mail stated: "I HIGHLY suggest you visit this website and contact me afterwards." On the Web site, the perpetrator states that unless the insurance company comes through with $198,303.88 by March 8, he will send out 6 million e-mails to couples with children.
"I think you get the idea," said the Web site. "I am going to drag your company name and reputation through the muddiest waters imaginable. This will cost you millions in lost revenues, trust and credibility not to mention the advertising you will be buying to counter mine."
The site goes on to state that the perpetrator is taking the action because the insurance company denied his claim.
The FBI said in a release that Digati was arrested over the weekend and charged with one count of extortion through interstate communications. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
George Venizelos, FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge, noted that the Internet has made it easier and more cost effective for criminals to attempt extortion against companies and individuals. "The digital age revolutionized business, among other ways, by drastically reducing the cost of direct marketing. But it has also facilitated the kind of cyber extortion effected by Digati," he stated. "One blackmailer can, with mere keystrokes, spread damaging lies to millions."
Venizelos said the most effective deterrent is to vigorously prosecute cyber-extortionist attempts.
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