Technology-crime detectives are investigating an alleged extortion case after a Wan Chai financial company complained of receiving demands for money after its computer system was attacked.
The case came to light after a 49-year-old senior executive from the firm, based in the Allied Kajima Building on Gloucester Road, came forward at 1.30am yesterday. 'He said he received an anonymous e-mail [on Wednesday afternoon] claiming that his company's computer network would be attacked,' a police investigator said. 'The e-mail demanded payment of 100,000 yuan (HK$123,000) to avoid interruptions to the computer system.'
The executive returned to the office on Wednesday night and found the computer system had been disrupted.
Another officer said preliminary investigation indicated it was a 'denial-of-service' cyberattack.
'As the computer network was under attack, its website was inaccessible to users,' he said.
It is understood that no money has been paid. Officers from the commercial crime bureau's technology-crime division are investigating.