Russian hackers have stolen the details of Hollywood stars and billionaire tycoons during a virtual heist on a top jewellery firm, Daily Mailreports.
Cybercriminals have plundered the personal information of people including Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and David Beckham during an online raid at Graff.
Russian hacker gang named Conti in behind data theft. The cyber criminals have already leaked 69,000 confidential documents on to the so-called 'dark web', including files relating to Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham and Sir Philip Green.And they are thought to be demanding tens of millions of pounds in ransom money to stop the release of further sensitive information.
According to Conti, the information published, involving about 11,000 of Graff's well-heeled clients, represents just one per cent of the files it stole.
Documents including client lists, invoices, receipts and credit notes have been taken, and could prove embarrassing for customers who may, for example, have bought gifts for secret lovers or taken jewellery as bribes.
Cyber experts believe the extortionists will demand payment either in an untraceable cyber currency such as Bitcoin – or even in jewels.
London-based Graff, which was founded by 83-year-old Laurence Graff, a self-styled 'King of Bling', said it had informed those whose personal data may have been accessed.
Cyber experts said it was most likely that the hackers gained access to Graff's files by sending an email which duped a member of staff into opening a file containing a sophisticated 'ransomware' computer virus.
This would have given the hackers a 'back door' to steal the company's data, bypassing any anti-virus software or firewall.