Ransomware Hackers Claim To Leak 250GB Of Washington, D.C., Police Data After Cops Don't Pay $4 Mill

[ansible]

Hackers who broke into the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, locked up files and demanded $4 million in return for not leaking the agency’s data, have now released what they claim is the full batch of documents they pilfered. The Babuk ransomware crew said it amounted to a huge 250GB trove of files, including a “gang database” and masses of personal data of police personnel.

“We publish the full data of the police department. . . . The police also wanted to pay us, but the amount turned out to be too small,” Babuk wrote on its dark web site on Thursday, after the hackers had posted an alleged conversation with the police, indicating that the department had offered a $100,000 ransom. “Look at this wall of shame, you have every chance of not getting there, just pay us!” The post came with a picture taken from the Police Academy movie, during a scene in which two characters, standing close together, shout at each other through megaphones.

The group posted links to two batches of data: one marked “HR” for “human resources,” the other simply labeled “all.”

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) declined to comment, though it has previously acknowledged an attack on its IT systems and has brought in the FBI to assist with the investigation.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2021/05/13/ransomware-hackers-claim-to-leak-250gb-of-washington-dc-police-data-after-cops-dont-pay-4-million-ransom/amp/?utm_campaign=forbes

[RockRaven]

1. When you read any articles/tweets/blogs about the contents of this leak, please be aware of

prior examples (including DNC-wikileaks) of falsified/modified documents being included alongside genuine ones.

I'm not saying assume the contents are false/give the cops the benefit of the doubt, I'm saying try to make sure the source you are reading has really, truly examined/vetted the documents in question in every manner possible -- and that the journo has the relevant bona fides to deserve your trust.

[Gaugamela]

2. Why would the hackers release falsified documents?

[RockRaven]

3. Why did the Russians alter the stuff they gave Wikileaks?

Do you really not apply the "cui bono" principle when you hear about information releases?



I'm saying don't pick up and run with everything you see about the content of this, or any, hack. Make sure your journalistic source is serious, experienced, and qualified.

[Gaugamela]

4. But they got nothing for it, Einstein.

Releasing false documents would give the police deniability regarding any particular document. It undercuts the threat. The reason I asked is it sounds like you’re giving cover to the cops.

[RockRaven]

5. Well, reading comprehension isn't everyone's strong suit. The meaning of my first reply is plain

on its face, as far as I'm concerned. No subtext was intended or delivered. Feel free to revisit it.

As for my opinion on cops, my posts/replies on DU are very consistent and also unambiguous. You could peruse one or two if you're still confused... or if you want to embark on a quixotic attempt to catch me out by reviewing them all then I suppose that is up to you. Your time, your choice.