Ashley Madison Hack: The Latest on the Police Investigation
Anyone who has been extorted as result of hack is asked to contact police.
— -- In the wake of a massive dump of private information stolen from adultery website Ashley Madison, Toronto Police today asked anyone who may been victimized by publicly posted information to contact their local authorities.
Acting Staff Superintendent Bryce Evans said today there were reported hate crimes that appeared to stem from the dump of personal information posted online, including the names, contact information and transaction history of people who signed up for the website, which is owned by Toronto-based Avid Life Media.
Toronto Police have declined to comment on individual cases.
Authorities also advised the public to not attempt to access any list claiming to have the information of Ashley Madison customers over concerns it could infect their computers with malware.
Avid Life Media, the parent company of Ashley Madison, is working with the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Toronto Police Services, along with independent security experts, to investigate the hacker or hackers who call themselves the "Impact Team."
"The investigation is progressing in a 'positive direction,' but more help is needed from the outside," said a statement released today by Avid Life Media.
A $500,000 Canadian dollar reward (approximately #376,000 USD) is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the hack.
"In the very best interest of our customers, who have been affected by this malicious act, we are firmly committed to fully assisting these law enforcement and investigative authorities, without reserve," the company said in the statement. "Because of this active and ongoing investigation, there is little more we can provide at this time to the media and the public."