Hackers target rich and famous in email scam at Loulou’s club
INTERNET hackers have targeted London’s most exclusive nightclub, Lou lou’s, in an attempt to steal the credit card details of its celebrity members, it has been revealed.
The venue’s computer system was infiltrated with a series of “phishing” scam emails which were sent to members in an effort to persuade them to hand over their credit card details.
Among the wealthy stars reported to be members of Loulou’s are George and Amal Clooney, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Richard Branson. Leonardo DiCaprio has also been spotted of late at the private members’ venue in Hertford Street in London’s Mayfair.
The venue, owned by nightclub tycoon Robin Birley, has called Scotland Yard in to investigate last week’s cyber attack in which hackers are believed to have used the iCloud account of one staff member to access its closely guarded mailing list. They then posed as another staff member, from the club’s accounts department, and sent out emails that said: “Please see attached invoice … please confirm the amount and respond, or we will proceed to debit credit card details we have on file.”
Several members are reported to have replied to the bogus email, which was especially convincing because it used a real club document. Those who fell for the scam provided the hackers with their Loulou’s membership password, which in turn opened the way for the criminals to access their payment details. Following complaints by some members who saw through the fraud, club officials admitted that data was stolen and advised members to delete the messages immediately.
Once source told the Daily Mail: “Most of the younger members saw right through it, but the average age at Hertford Street is high and many of the older people were fooled.”
Another added: “This isn’t some working men’s club – it’s a place for billionaires and megastars.”
Loulou’s has a £1,200 joining fee and annual membership is £1,500, yet there are 3,000 names on the waiting list.
‘Loulou’s is not some working men’s club – it’s a place for billionaires and megastars’