Bengaluru: Private IP service company files bitcoin extortion bid; three employees booked

The accused allegedly first sent an email demanding 10 bitcoins. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: stockforliving

The Whitefield CEN Crime Police have registered an FIR against three employees of a private IT company for their alleged involvement in stealing confidential company and customer data and threatening to disclose it unless a cryptocurrency ransom was paid.

A complaint was lodged on October 12 by a company executive and board member.

According to the complaint, the company received an email on September 15, 2026, allegedly claiming to have gained unauthorised access to the company’s computer systems and stolen confidential information relating to more than 40 customers and over five lakh email addresses. The sender threatened to disclose the information unless 10 bitcoins were paid.