California Man Arrested for Threatening Spam Attack

A California man was arrested and charged with extortion after threatening to launch a spam attack against the New York Life insurance company. Police say Anthony Digati was irate over his $50,000 life insurance policy, demanding a fourfold return. When the company refused, he threatened to send out over 6 million emails smearing the company, an act authorities are considering to be extortion.

          As you have denied my claim I can only respond in this way,” Digati wrote in an e-mail sent last months to dozens of the company’s employees, according to a criminal complaint in Manhattan Federal Court. “You no longer have a choice in the matter, unless of course you want me to continue with this outlined plan. I have nothing to lose, you have everything to lose. Of course it is spam, I hired a spam service, I could care less, the damage will be done,” Digati allegedly crowed.

The company promptly reported the threats to the FBI. Digati allegedly told the company he didn’t fear prosecution because he was convinced no judge would rule against him, He felt the company stole from him, and said he would start a website bashing the company and increase his demand to $3 million. It is unclear why he felt his life insurance policy was worth 4 times its face value or why he felt the company had been stealing from him.

Insiders say Digati is a former New York Life employee who was facing bankruptcy over a debt of more than $1 million. He will be arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court.