Game of Troubles: Now, hackers leak GoT’s episode 5 script, demand ransom
In a fresh onslaught on HBO, hackers have leaked the script of Episode 5 of ‘Game of Thrones’ (GoT) Season 7 that is set to be aired on August 13 (Sunday), along with a note demanding ransom from the US-based television network.
The leaked material also contains “countless” HBO internal documents, including a month’s worth of a top executive’s emails, financial balance sheets, employment agreements and marketing strategy PDFs, said a report in The Wired.
The hackers reportedly said that they have sent an ultimatum to HBO President and CEO Richard Plepler and demanded “six-month salary in bitcoin” – which is nearly $6 million – as ransom for the stolen data, which they will otherwise continue to leak. In an internal email to the staff, Plepler claimed last week: “Many people have expressed particular concern about our email system. At this time, we do not believe that our e-mail system as a whole has been compromised, but the forensic review is ongoing.”
Plepler’s email was apparently meant to calm the nerves of the network’s staff, and address what he called “an enormous amount of speculation in the media". “Our demand is clear and Non-Negotiable: We want XXXX dollars to stop leaking your Data. HBO spends $12 million for Market Research and $5 million for ‘GOT7’ advertisements. So, consider us another budget for your advertisements!” the hackers’ letter sent to HBO read.
“Leakage will be your worst nightmare. So, make a wise decision!”, the letter added. The latest leak includes another half-gigabyte of the total 1.5TB of digital material that hackers stole from HBO. The letter ends with an image of the “Night King” villain from GoT with his arms raised – the word “standing” in one hand and “falling” in the other. The note, written by “Mr. Smith” has given HBO three days from when the letter was sent to transfer the money.