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Hackers threaten US Gov. Gretchen Whitmer demanding a Bitcoin payment

Hackers threaten US Gov. Gretchen Whitmer demanding a Bitcoin payment
Bitcoin hackers (Courtesy: Crypto Noon)

According to the Michigan State Police, a United States politician, Gretchen Whitmer, who has been working as the governor of Michigan for two years, was currently sent a threat letter. In the mail, the anonymous senders asked about $2 million in Bitcoin (BTC). Nevertheless, the state authorities flagged the threat as a Bitcoin extortion scheme, stating they don’t consider the death threats credible.

Apart from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the anonymous senders also cautioned the state employees in the letter. As reported, the sender demands that the governor should transfer about $2 million worth of Bitcoin to them by January 25, else the state workers would get killed. Conversing on this, Shanon Banner from the Michigan State Police stated they had not arrested in the case, as they don’t think the threats are convincing. 

Already, the state police started reviewing the incident shortly after they discovered the letter. Part of the review involved negotiating with the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center. Finally, it was concluded not to be a probable threat. This is appearing a few days following the president’s followers breached the United States Capitol building. The Michigan State Capitol Commission will convene a session about banning citizens from providing firearms with the state Capitol.

Hackers enticed towards cryptocurrencies specially Bitcoin

Hackers are increasingly confiding in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin. They are intimidating individuals possibly due to the anonymity that comes with it. In the past year, many businesses, including Campari, were hacked, thus threatening messages through mail to present their data to the public. Besides, demanded that they pay a certain amount in Bitcoin.  

The ransomware gang threatened to issue the data to the public, except if Campari consents to spend about $15 million in ransom via bitcoin. As per the report, they encrypted financial data, bank statements, documents, important emails, and contractual agreements relating to Campari. In the same year, various businesses in Australia suffered bomb threats mails, which also required Bitcoin payments. 

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