Thief demanded $30,000 worth of bitcoin to return 411Mania.com domain name.
411Mania.com, a mixed martial arts, wrestling and entertainment website that gets seven million pageviews per month, was hijacked and held for ransom earlier this week.
According to a lawsuit (pdf) filed in Virginia on Wednesday, the domain name was hijacked on or about April 16 and the thief demanded a ransom.
On April 17, the thief demanded a payment of $30,000 worth of bitcoin for the return of the domain name. The next day, the owners received another ransom demand that included spreadsheets of 411Mania.com’s income and advertising information that the thief was able to obtain. The second notice demanded $20,000 in bitcoin and threatened to disable the website for the second time.
The domain name was transferred from Register.com to Internet BS as part of the theft.
Fortunately, 411Mania.com was able to get a temporary restraining order on April 19 and the domain name has been returned to its control. The company filed a lawsuit with the help of David Weslow of Wiley Rein and the restraining order was issued the same day. Weslow has helped a number of people recover stolen domain names.
Acro says
It’s ridiculous that at this time and era domains can be stolen, held for ransom or resold to often unsuspecting buyers. ICANN needs to spend some of its well-kept cash to invest in a new, secure method of safe-guarding domain ownership.
MarijuanaGuy says
My domain ” BullShitWebsites” got stolen too by the thief in China and s/he wanted money. I told him/her to go F off.
As being said by Acro,domains can be traced and it is just a matter of time.
Joseph Peterson says
Hear! Hear!
(Though ICANN won’t hear us.)
John Berryhill says
ICANN? Do something in the interests of domain registrants?
Heh. Pull my other leg, it’s got bells on it! Really!
Josh says
Had one last year where the guy stole their sites, sent a ransom for BTC as well. Nice bit of evidence for the rar to return the names to the right account 😉 If kept at the same rar of course or moved to one that works well with others. This one was at GoDaddy.
Huh.com says
Bitcoin is the currency of choice for criminals.
Rodger Moore says
USD is the currency of choice for terrorists, dictators and drugdealers.
Phoenix Pop says
I remember when Google.com was purchased and instantly it was returned.