US authorities are investigating hackers who allegedly stole and posted online financial information belonging to US first lady Michelle Obama, politicians, law enforcers and Hollywood celebrities.
News of the investigation emerged after a website using the .su domain suffix of the former Soviet Union posted “secret files” purporting to be personal information belonging to high-profile people.
The FBI and Los Angeles police are investigating, with FBI director Robert Mueller and LAPD chief Charlie Beck among the 17 high-profile figures listed as hacked, according to the Guardian.
ABC news said the Secret Service is also investigating whether the information posted is authentic, and if so, how it might have been compromised.
Forbes reported that credit agencies are making their own inquiries after it emerged that the hackers somehow accessed credit reports on AnnualCreditReport.com, a government-mandated service that gives people access to one free credit report each year.
Celebrity victims included Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, Hulk Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Donald Trump.
However, none of those listed by the hackers have confirmed whether the information is real or not.
Political figures targeted include US vice-president Joe Biden, the former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, the US attorney general Eric Holder, and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
13 Mar 2013