Cybercrime detectives have charged a Melbourne man after he allegedly threatened to begin a bushfire in an try and extort tens of millions of {dollars}.
The 27-year-old Bundoora man was charged with extortion on Monday over an internet message he allegedly despatched to a Queensland emergency service in October.
An emergency service was allegedly informed it had three days to switch $5 million of cryptocurrency.Credit score:Paul Jeffers
The menace obtained by the emergency service mentioned a bushfire can be lit if $5 million in cryptocurrency was not transferred inside three days.
The emergency service then reported the message to police. No cash was exchanged, and the menace was not carried out.
Victoria Police took over the investigation after authorities established the message was despatched from the state.
Following what police described as an intensive investigation, detectives searched a Bundoora property final week, seizing two computer systems and a cellphone.
The person was later arrested and charged with extortion with menace to hazard life and menace to destroy/injury property.
He was additionally charged for drug possession and failing to offer data below warrant.
He has been launched on bail, and can face Heidelberg Magistrates’ Courtroom on August 1.
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