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Ransom Demands Target Instagram Influencers After Phishing Attacks

Oct 02, 2018 •

Anthony Pell

1 min read

Topics Covered

account hijacking phishing security threat social media attack tactics ransom influencer

Hackers are taking over high-profile Instagram users’ accounts and holding them to ransom, it was revealed this week. At least four influencers have lost control of their accounts and received demands to send bitcoin for their return, but in some cases the attackers retained control or deleted the accounts. Motherboard reported that Los Angeles-based fitness Instagram influencer, Kevin Kreider, lost control of his Instagram account and more than 100,000 followers after falling victim to a phishing scam. The account hijackers sent him a fraudulent email offering a sponsorship deal with French Connection that took him to a fake Instagram portal which then stole his account details.

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