*These DOS shakedown racketeers have been
notorious in computer-crimebusting circles, so
it's delightful to see them in custody.
http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/04/07/ap_072304.asp
Internet Extortion Racket Broken in Russia
July 23, 2004
LONDON (AP) _ Cyber-detectives have tracked down an elusive gang of international computer hackers in Russia who allegedly extorted money from online betting Web sites, British officials said Thursday.
The hackers are suspected of running a global protection racket in which they threatened to crash bookmakers' sites unless payments were made.
Three ringleaders of the Russian gang who made hundreds of thousands of pounds (dollars) were arrested in a series of raids in St. Petersburg, Saratov and Stavropol on Tuesday, officials said.
