Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 3 hrs ago
Three Bengaluru IT employees booked over alleged bitcoin extortion
Police in Bengaluru have booked three employees of a private IT company over alleged data theft and extortion.
The complaint says an email on September 15 claimed that confidential company and customer information had been stolen.
The sender allegedly demanded 10 bitcoins to stop the data being disclosed.
The company says the information related to more than 40 customers and over five lakh email addresses.
An internal inquiry suspected employee Shivaram Nekkalapudi and two subordinates, Biswajit and Nikhil, of involvement in the alleged breach.
The complaint also alleges that an intermediary sought ₹2.75 crore and later ₹2.25 crore, while a later email demanded 30 bitcoins.
Police registered a case under information technology and criminal laws, and the investigation is ongoing.
Police in Bengaluru have registered a case against three employees of a private IT company over alleged theft of company and customer data and bitcoin extortion.
A company executive and board member lodged a complaint on October 12, 2026.
The complaint alleges that an email sent on September 15 claimed unauthorised access to company systems and demanded 10 bitcoins to prevent disclosure of stolen information.
A later email, received on October 10, allegedly demanded 30 bitcoins.
The employees named in the internal inquiry are Shivaram Nekkalapudi, Biswajit and Nikhil; the allegations are under investigation.
- Who
- Three employees of a private IT company: Shivaram Nekkalapudi, Biswajit and Nikhil.
- What
- They are suspected of stealing sensitive company and customer data and threatening to disclose it unless cryptocurrency was paid.
- When
- The first reported email was received on September 15, 2026, and another on October 10. The complaint was lodged on October 12.
- Where
- Whitefield, Bengaluru.
- Why
- The alleged emails demanded bitcoin in exchange for not disclosing the information.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The company allegedly received an email claiming unauthorised access and demanding 10 bitcoins.
The company allegedly received another email demanding 30 bitcoins.
A company executive and board member lodged a complaint.
The Whitefield CEN Crime Police case was reported as registered against three employees.
- Initial demand
- 10 bitcoins
- Later demand
- 30 bitcoins
- Customer data
- Information relating to more than 40 customers and over five lakh email addresses
- Intermediary's initial demand
- ₹2.75 crore
- Intermediary's subsequent demand
- ₹2.25 crore
- Police station
- Whitefield CEN Crime Police