Press Conference Advisory
Behzad Mesri, an Iranian national, was charged with hacking HBO’s servers to steal unreleased 'Game of Thrones' episodes and other proprietary data, then attempting to extort the company in Bitcoin, leading to federal charges of computer fraud, extortion, and wire fraud after he leaked portions of the data online.
Behzad Mesri, an Iranian national, was charged with hacking into HBO’s computer systems to steal proprietary data, including unreleased episodes of 'Game of Thrones' and internal communications. He allegedly demanded a ransom in Bitcoin to prevent public release of the stolen material and, after no payment was made, uploaded portions of the data online, causing significant reputational and financial harm to HBO. Mesri faces federal charges including computer fraud, extortion, and wire fraud, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in coordination with the FBI.
Behzad Mesri, an Iranian national, was charged with hacking into HBO’s computer servers to steal proprietary data, including unreleased episodes of 'Game of Thrones' and sensitive internal communications. He allegedly demanded a ransom in Bitcoin to prevent the public release of the stolen content, but when HBO did not pay, he uploaded portions of the material online, causing substantial reputational and financial damage to the company. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in coordination with the FBI, announced the charges, which include computer fraud, extortion, and wire fraud. Mesri was arrested and appeared in court, marking a high-profile case of cyber-enabled extortion targeting the entertainment industry. The breach exposed vulnerabilities in media companies’ cybersecurity and underscored the growing trend of threat actors using stolen intellectual property as leverage for financial gain. Although the exact ransom amount was not disclosed, the use of Bitcoin highlighted the increasing role of cryptocurrency in digital extortion schemes. The case remains a significant example of how cybercriminals exploit popular media franchises to maximize impact and pressure victims into paying ransoms.
Extracted insights
- person Behzad Mesri ×2
- person charges against behzad mesri
- company computer servers of home box office, inc.
- person Dawn Dearden
- organization Department of Justice
- organization Federal Bureau of Investigation
- organization Home Box Office, Inc.
- person james margolin
- person Joon H. Kim
- person nicholas biase
- person proprietary data
- organization United States Attorney's Office, Southern District Of New York
- agency u.s. attorney's office, southern district of new york
- person William F. Sweeney
- Behzad Mesri allegedly hacked computer servers of Home Box Office, Inc.
- Behzad Mesri allegedly stole proprietary data
- Behzad Mesri allegedly sought to extort HBO
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York will announce charges against Behzad Mesri
- Behzad Mesri is an Iranian national
Press Release Press Conference Advisory Tuesday, November 21, 2017 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York There will be a press conference today at 12:30 p.m. to announce charges against Behzad Mesri, an Iranian national, for allegedly hacking into the computer servers of Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO), stealing proprietary data, including information about then-unreleased episodes of the popular television series, “Game of Thrones,” and then allegedly seeking to extort HBO. WHO: Joon H. Kim, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York William F. Sweeney, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation WHEN: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at12:30 p.m. WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York 1 St. Andrew’s Plaza New York, NY 10007 LIVESTREAM: Facebook @USAOSDNY CONTACT: James Margolin, Dawn Dearden, Nicholas Biase (212) 637-2600 Updated November 21, 2017 Component USAO - New York, Southern
Press Release Press Conference Advisory Tuesday, November 21, 2017 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York There will be a press conference today at 12:30 p.m. to announce charges against Behzad Mesri, an Iranian national, for allegedly hacking into the computer servers of Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO), stealing proprietary data, including information about then-unreleased episodes of the popular television series, “Game of Thrones,” and then allegedly seeking to extort HBO. WHO: Joon H. Kim, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York William F. Sweeney, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation WHEN: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at12:30 p.m. WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York 1 St. Andrew’s Plaza New York, NY 10007 LIVESTREAM: Facebook @USAOSDNY CONTACT: James Margolin, Dawn Dearden, Nicholas Biase (212) 637-2600 Updated November 21, 2017 Component USAO - New York, Southern