The company that owns Ashley Madison is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the adultery website’s massive data breach.
The Toronto-based website, which facilitates extramarital affairs, was targeted by hackers in July. Last week, hackers released a file containing the email and home addresses of 37 million people registered with the site.
The hackers identified themselves as the "Impact Team."
At a news conference on Monday, Toronto police announced the reward and asked anyone with more information to call their Ashley Madison investigation tip line at 416-808-2040. Tips can also be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Toronto police said they've been working with Avid Media, the company that owns Ashley Madison, since July. Acting Staff Sgt. Bryce Evans said that police are focused on catching the hackers, and are not concerned with any controversy surrounding the website’s business.
Evans also warned the public of the "enormous social fallout" of the hack, saying that leaked information could damage families and personal relationships.
"This ain't fun and games anymore, this is reality," he said.
"It's going to have impacts on lives."
He said that police have two unconfirmed reports of suicides related to the hacking. He did not provide further details on the deaths.
Evans spoke directly to the hackers who he expected would be watching the press conference.
"I want to make it very clear to you. Your actions are illegal and will not be tolerated. This is your wakeup call."
He called upon hackers outside of the group behind the breach to provide any information they have obtained that may aid in the investigation.
"You know the Impact Team has crossed the line," he said. "Do the right thing and reach out to us."
He warned that anyone trying to identify victims of the hack are risking malware, spyware and virus attacks.
Evans also mentioned a series of extortion attempts that have surfaced in the days since the hack, saying they've received several reports from site users who have been contacted with offers to erase their personal information, for a fee.
"If you would like to prevent me from sharing this dirt with all of your known friends and family (and perhaps even your employees too?) then you need to send me exactly 1.05 bitcoins," one of the emails read. Each bitcoin is worth approximately $293 Canadian.
"This is a scam. Nobody is going to be able to erase that information," Evans said.
He also warned anyone who has used the website to review their credit card bills in case of fraud. Police believe only the last four digits of users' cards can be accessed, but advised caution.
He recommended anyone who has been extorted or victimized as a result of the breach to contact local police forces to report the incidents.
Ted Charney, of Toronto-based Charney Lawyers, said Monday that his firm has been contacted by 1,000 people related to a class action lawsuit.
“Ashley Madison sold their services based on essentially guaranteeing complete confidentiality,” he said.
“That was the nature of the product they sold and they breached their contract, in our opinion.”
With a report from CTV Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis
