Massive cyber heist rocks high society jeweller Graff: Russian gang demand multi-million ransom or they'll release private details of rich and famous - after leaking files on David Beckham, Oprah and Donald Trump
Russian hackers have taken personal details of world leaders, actors and tycoons
Victims believed to include Donald Trump, David Beckham and Sir Philip Green
Thought to be demanding millions in ransom money to stop further releases of sensitive information
Gang named Conti is behind data theft from the exclusive jewellery firm Graff
30 October 2021
"Hackers have plundered the personal details of world leaders, Hollywood A-listers and billionaire tycoons in a massive 'virtual heist' on exclusive jewellery firm Graff, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
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.
The notorious Russian hacking gang Conti is behind the data theft and claims 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.
'Given the profile of the customer database, this is absolutely massive,' said Philip Ingram, a former colonel in British military intelligence.
'This is going to bring the highest levels of international law enforcement down on the gang, and that's going to give them a whole lot of headaches in trying to get the ransom paid and then get away with it.'
Cyber experts believe the extortionists will demand payment either in an untraceable cyber currency such as Bitcoin – or even in jewels.
Around 600 British customers are among the victims so far named, including Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone and former footballer Frank Lampard, who was previously pictured leaving Graff's flagship London store with his wife Christine Bleakley.
International superstars on the list include Hollywood actors Tom Hanks, Samuel L Jackson and Alec Baldwin, already troubled after accidentally shooting dead cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his latest film.
Singer Tony Bennett also features in the leak, while two addresses for US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey and seven for Donald and Melania Trump were published.
Conti, which is believed to be based near St Petersburg, released the first cache of customer information earlier this month on the dark web, a secretive part of the internet known as a haven for terrorists and criminals – who could potentially use the material for theft, extortion or blackmail.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which can impose multi-million pound fines on companies that fail to keep customers' data secure, said it was investigating the breach.
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."
"The socialite Ghisaline Maxwell, who is awaiting trial on charges of recruiting underage girls for the late serial paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is also listed.
The files do not state what, if anything, she bought, but it gives her then billing and shipping address as being in St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, close to the island of Little Saint James, where Epstein abused some of his victims."
More: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10148265/Massive-cyber-heist-rocks-high-society-jeweller-Graff.html