Hackers Threaten Online Bookmakers
23 Feb 2004
``It emerged that the unit is investigating an alleged plot by hackers - believed to be criminal gangs in Eastern Europe - threatening to paralyse bookmakers' websites before the race unless their financial demands are met.
``The NHTCU believes the gangs plan to mount a co-ordinated electronic attack, flooding the targeted website with requests for information and making it inaccessible for anyone to place a bet.
``If successfully carried out, the attacks could cost bookmakers hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost business.
``Threats have been made via email, demanding around £20,000 to £30,000, the equivalent of around an hour's business for many internet bookmakers…"