RepKiller Team: cyber-extortion threat to UK wine trade

There are a number of alerts from Action Fraud and other UK police organisations of cyber-extortion threats to UK businesses. The UK wine trade may well amongst those targeted by the RepKiller Team.

 

Message from David Richardson, regulatory & Commercial Affairs Director, WSTA

'Dear Jim

I have been informed by the Metropolitan Police of a cyber-extortion threat as follows:

Within the past 24 hours a number of businesses throughout the UK have received extortion demands from a group calling themselves ‘RepKiller Team’.

Method of Attack:

The group have sent emails demanding payment of between £300 – £500 in Bitcoin by a certain date and time.  If their demand is not met, they have threatened to launch a cyber attack against the business and its reputation by automating hundreds of negative reviews online.

The demand states that once their actions have started, they cannot be undone.    
If you have received such a demand, or receive one in the future, you are advised to:
 
Make a report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the online reporting tool on www.actionfraud.police.uk 
Do not pay the demand
Retain the original emails (with headers)
Maintain a timeline of the attack, recording all times, type and content of the contact

All affected businesses, whether the attack is attempted or successful, should report in the first instance to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards

David

David Richardson
Regulatory & Commercial Affairs Director

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association -  Speaking for the wine & spirit trade
International Wine & Spirit Centre
39-45 Bermondsey Street
LONDON, SE1 3XF
dd +44 (0)20 7089 3852
f +44 (0)20 7089 3870
e david@wsta.co.uk
I  www.wsta.co.uk'