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IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Weaponising the threat: The changing face of cybercrime
Companies and high-profile individuals are using cyber-attacks as a way of discrediting and disrupting their competitors. Image: Supplied Cyberthreats have been weaponized for years. Companies use hackers to infiltrate competitors and steal data or ruin their reputation. Fake news and false information disseminated to erode customer trust. Online smear campaigns designed to give one company or high-profile person an edge over another. These cases aren't as rare as they sound, and they are evolving – the hacks themselves are being used to discredit and disrupt. False accusations, witch hunts, distractions – these are some of the core approaches that can be used to damage a competitor or a high-profile person. It doesn't matter whether or not the company taking credit actually perpetuated the attack. Their goal is to cast a shadow, to create deeper disruption and it often works. False accusations are perhaps one of the most insidious. A company blames someone for a successful attack, creating a witch hunt which has media and investigators digging into their business and activities. One of the most well-known cases of such an attack was when the hacking group Anonymous accused a Canadian man of attacking Amanda Todd online. After a lengthy investigation, the man was cleared but not after the incident had caused significant damage to his life and reputation. On the corporate side, ExxonMobil was accused of commissioning hackers to target climate activists – claims that lacked definitive proof. But what about hacks used as a form of misdirection in a move that's as old as the Colosseum? There are several notable examples of how hacking accusations were used to misdirect others and distract from other activities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Sony breach false claim in 2023 is a case in point. A ransomware group claimed to have hacked the company and stolen information which had a serious impact on Sony's reputation. While Sony did prove the claims were false, the damage was done. Epic Games experienced a similar attack in 2024 when a Russian hacking group made the same claim. Epic rapidly proved them wrong, but the hacking group got what it wanted – credibility among its peers. These acts of misdirection and fake claims always have a motive. Money, notoriety, reputational damage or gain, manipulating markets and bringing down a competitor. While the hack has the headlines, people are too busy watching to notice what is actually happening in the background. It's a similar tactic used by cybersecurity companies. There are tools that allow security teams to misdirect attacks. These dummies keep the threats away from the primary systems, distracting them while teams orchestrate a defence. Then there's the other element to these attacks. Companies use them to get information from their competitors so they can gain a market advantage. The Industrial Spy marketplace is exactly what it says on the tin, for example, a marketplace that sells stolen trade secrets to companies willing to pay. Their packages can cost in the millions. KnowBe4, a security training awareness company, discovered that its new employee was, in fact, an operative pretending to be a software engineer. The moment they received their Mac workbook, they started to plant malware in the company. While this example isn't quite in the same lane as corporate espionage, it was a crime committed by a state operative from North Korea with the goal of infiltrating and tearing down a US company. What makes these attacks increasingly vicious is how they're being twisted to fit new motives or to protect companies from being indicted. Companies are employing dirty tactics to stay ahead of the game and divert suspicion. Like, getting the hackers to attack them as well as their competitor so they can claim they had nothing to do with it. Then potentially turning accusations around back on their competitors to suggest they were responsible in the first place. One hand is waving so the other hand can't see what's happening, and the permutations are only growing more convoluted and sophisticated. Organisations need to pay attention to these threats, recognising that they are introducing complex new ways of affecting business and reputations. Defending against them needs accurate records, superb security support and visibility into the entire business ecosystem. Richard Frost, Head of Technology and Innovation at Armata Cyber Security. Richard Frost, Head of Technology and Innovation at Armata Cyber Security. Image: Supplied. BUSINESS REPORT
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Weaponising the threat: The changing face of cybercrime
Companies and high-profile individuals are using cyber-attacks as a way of discrediting and disrupting their competitors, says Richard Frost, Head of Technology and Innovation at Armata Cyber Security. Cyberthreats have been weaponized for years. Companies use hackers to infiltrate competitors and steal data or ruin their reputation. Fake news and false information disseminated to erode customer trust. Online smear campaigns designed to give one company or high-profile person an edge over another. These cases aren't as rare as they sound, and they are evolving – the hacks themselves are being used to discredit and disrupt. False accusations, witch hunts, distractions – these are some of the core approaches that can be used to damage a competitor or a high-profile person. It doesn't matter whether or not the company taking credit actually perpetuated the attack. Their goal is to cast a shadow, to create deeper disruption and it often works. False accusations are perhaps one of the most insidious. A company blames someone for a successful attack, creating a witch hunt which has media and investigators digging into their business and activities. One of the most well-known cases of such an attack was when the hacking group Anonymous accused a Canadian man of attacking Amanda Todd online. After a lengthy investigation, the man was cleared but not after the incident had caused significant damage to his life and reputation. On the corporate side, ExxonMobil was accused of commissioning hackers to target climate activists – claims that lacked definitive proof. But what about hacks used as a form of misdirection in a move that's as old as the Colosseum? There are several notable examples of how hacking accusations were used to misdirect others and distract from other activities. The Sony breach false claim in 2023 is a case in point. A ransomware group claimed to have hacked the company and stolen information which had a serious impact on Sony's reputation. While Sony did prove the claims were false, the damage was done. Epic Games experienced a similar attack in 2024 when a Russian hacking group made the same claim. Epic rapidly proved them wrong, but the hacking group got what it wanted – credibility among its peers. These acts of misdirection and fake claims always have a motive. Money, notoriety, reputational damage or gain, manipulating markets and bringing down a competitor. While the hack has the headlines, people are too busy watching to notice what is actually happening in the background. It's a similar tactic used by cybersecurity companies. There are tools that allow security teams to misdirect attacks. These dummies keep the threats away from the primary systems, distracting them while teams orchestrate a defence. Then there's the other element to these attacks. Companies use them to get information from their competitors so they can gain a market advantage. The Industrial Spy marketplace is exactly what it says on the tin, for example, a marketplace that sells stolen trade secrets to companies willing to pay. Their packages can cost in the millions. KnowBe4, a security training awareness company, discovered that its new employee was, in fact, an operative pretending to be a software engineer. The moment they received their Mac workbook, they started to plant malware in the company. While this example isn't quite in the same lane as corporate espionage, it was a crime committed by a state operative from North Korea with the goal of infiltrating and tearing down a US company. What makes these attacks increasingly vicious is how they're being twisted to fit new motives or to protect companies from being indicted. Companies are employing dirty tactics to stay ahead of the game and divert suspicion. Like, getting the hackers to attack them as well as their competitor so they can claim they had nothing to do with it. Then potentially turning accusations around back on their competitors to suggest they were responsible in the first place. One hand is waving so the other hand can't see what's happening, and the permutations are only growing more convoluted and sophisticated. Organisations need to pay attention to these threats, recognising that they are introducing complex new ways of affecting business and reputations. Defending against them needs accurate records, superb security support and visibility into the entire business ecosystem.
Scotsman
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
SNP under maternity downgrade pressure as mothers face travelling hundreds of miles for neonatal care
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Mothers have spoken out about the threat of having to travel hundreds of miles for specialist neonatal services following the downgrade of a Central Belt neonatal unit. The Scottish Government plans to downgrade the facility at University Hospital Wishaw as part of a strategy that would reduce the number of specialist units across Scotland from eight to three. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The plan would see the services being provided at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Children Erin McLay and Kai Johnstone play as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, deputy Jackie Ballie and candidate Davy Russell meet with local parents including Amanda Todd (left) raising concerns about the potential downgrade of services at Wishaw General Hospital (Photo by Jeff) | Getty Images But mothers who have relied on specialist services at Wishaw have said patients would be left with no choice but to travel to Aberdeen or England, or even as far as Ireland, to receive the crucial care they require because of the severe pressure the maternity units in Glasgow and Edinburgh are already under. READ MORE: SNP downgrade of neonatal unit is a monumental mistake The plans to remove specialist neonatal services from University Hospital Wishaw has become a key issue on the doorstep ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, which takes place on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government said that the vast majority of premature babies require care which will continue to be delivered in local neonatal units and on postnatal wards under the plans. Approximately 120 babies are born under 27 weeks gestation in Scotland each year of which the Scottish Government believe around half will be impacted by the proposed changes. University Hospital Wishaw | NationalWorld Scottish Labour has pledged to save the specialist unit if it forms the next government. Linsay Hamilton, who herself has been a patient at the neonatal unit in Wishaw, has warned over mothers from the Central Belt having to be transferred to Aberdeen or 'shipped off to Ireland' amid current pressures on maternity units in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Hamilton added: 'We've heard from staff who are saying actually in Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's very likely that they're always full and they're always really busy so it would be Aberdeen. 'If you think about the areas that Aberdeen has got to support, it will just be adding to the pressure on already under-pressure services.' Amanda Todd from South Lanarkshire, has lifted the lid on being just hours away from being transferred to Dublin to give birth before a bed was found for her at the 11th hour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highlighting her experience in 2021, Ms Todd said: 'I was told they didn't have any bed for me or the baby. 'The day before I was being transferred in the morning, luckily there was a space in the ICU for her. Otherwise, we were going to Dublin. 'We were told that if we hadn't had the room, you were over in Dublin. It was just really scary.' Tammy Johnstone holds three year old Kai as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, deputy Jackie Ballie and candidate Davy Russell meet with parents and Wishaw neonatal campaigners (Photo by Jeff) | Getty Images Tammy Johnstone said it would be 'traumatic' to be forced to travel long distances. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She added: 'You just wouldn't cope with going to Aberdeen. Even if you are a driver, where's the finances coming from?' Ms Johnstone said she was not allowed to put her hands on her son, Kai, 'for 72 hours after birth' due to how sick he was during a lengthy stay in Wishaw. She added: 'He was four weeks old before I was allowed to physically pick him up. 'How would he have been put in any ambulance and travelled anywhere, let alone hours up to Aberdeen? Doing things like that and transporting them at such an early age while they are so fragile can cause everlasting damage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, has criticised the Scottish Government for pushing ahead with condensing specialist services. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie | PA She warned that 'Glasgow currently can't cope with the numbers they have going to them' adding that Wishaw was being used as an overflow for the city. She said: 'The reality is Glasgow and Edinburgh cannot cope with additional patients coming from Wishaw. 'The Government had a choice. The report that they commissioned recommended anything between three and five specialist neonatal units. They could have decided to have four and kept Wishaw, because if you look at the population of Scotland, the bulk of it is across the Central Belt, you need the capacity of Glasgow, Wishaw and Edinburgh operating together to cover all of that and including the south of Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To suggest that somebody from Wishaw, who is very ill, or potentially has the smallest, sickest babies, should travel to Aberdeen is just nonsense - it's just clinically inappropriate. 'We are in danger of doing the wrong thing. It is not just the babies, but some of the mums might well end up dying as a consequence of this. We cannot afford for that to happen.' Deputy First Minister and SNP MSP Kate Forbes gave birth to her daughter Naomi in 2022. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with SNP candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Katie Loudon | Getty Images Speaking to The Scotsman, Ms Forbes said: 'My primary interest is in the safety of the littlest babies that we are supporting through the National Health Service. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When a clinician says that the safest option for this little baby is at a specialist unit at another location, then I think politicians need to listen to that clinician. 'If something were to happen to that baby after a politician had overturned clinical advice, then I don't think that politician could live with themselves. 'My primary interest is to deliver services as close to people as possible but when clinical advice is clear that protecting the littlest, most vulnerable patients requires a slight change in service, I think we need to take that seriously.' The NHS and the future of maternity services at Wishaw have been key issues on the doorsteps during the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Labour candidate, Davy Russell, warned that 'people are very anxious'. He added: 'Why are they closing down Wishaw neonatal - an award-winning unit with top staff, top quality services? The Scottish Government should be hanging its head in shame.' SNP candidate, Katy Loudon, has stressed that the advice of medical professionals should be paramount. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said that mothers would 'crawl over hot coals' and 'would fly to the moon…to make sure their child was receiving whatever they needed'. She added: 'It's really important when we talk about the smallest and the sickest babies, they are receiving world-class treatment.' Lynne Huckerby, NHS Lanarkshire deputy director of acute services, said: 'We understand that national discussions around neonatal capacity might be concerning but we want to reassure families that the safety and wellbeing of mothers and their babies remain our highest priority. 'Currently, in some circumstances, mothers and babies are transferred to other maternity units to ensure they receive the appropriate level of care in the most suitable clinical setting. All neonatal units work collaboratively to ensure that capacity is available for babies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Where local neonatal capacity is stretched, transfer arrangements are made through the Scottish Ambulance Service or Scottish Neonatal Transport Service. These situations are managed on a case-by-case basis. Transfers to distant locations are only considered when absolutely necessary and no closer options are available. We are not aware of any cases where a transfer to Dublin has been necessary.' READ MORE: Safety concerns found at maternity unit at major Scottish hospital as NHS health board given warning A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Local neonatal units, including Wishaw, will continue to provide care to the vast majority of babies who need it, including a level of intensive care. No neonatal units are closing as part of these plans. 'The decision to create three national Neonatal Intensive Care Units has been made in line with strong evidence and advice from expert clinicians that care for babies at highest risk is safest in units that treat a higher number of patients.
Scotsman
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
SNP under maternity downgrade pressure as mothers face travelling hundreds of miles for neonatal care
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Mothers have spoken out about the threat of having to travel hundreds of miles for specialist neonatal services following the downgrade of a Central Belt neonatal unit. The Scottish Government plans to downgrade the facility at University Hospital Wishaw as part of a strategy that would reduce the number of specialist units across Scotland from eight to three. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The plan would see the services being provided at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Children Erin McLay and Kai Johnstone play as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, deputy Jackie Ballie and candidate Davy Russell meet with local parents including Amanda Todd (left) raising concerns about the potential downgrade of services at Wishaw General Hospital (Photo by Jeff) | Getty Images But mothers who have relied on specialist services at Wishaw have said patients would be left with no choice but to travel to Aberdeen or England, or even as far as Ireland, to receive the crucial care they require because of the severe pressure the maternity units in Glasgow and Edinburgh are already under. READ MORE: SNP downgrade of neonatal unit is a monumental mistake The plans to remove specialist neonatal services from University Hospital Wishaw has become a key issue on the doorstep ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, which takes place on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government said that the vast majority of premature babies require care which will continue to be delivered in local neonatal units and on postnatal wards under the plans. Approximately 120 babies are born under 27 weeks gestation in Scotland each year of which the Scottish Government believe around half will be impacted by the proposed changes. University Hospital Wishaw | NationalWorld Scottish Labour has pledged to save the specialist unit if it forms the next government. Linsay Hamilton, who herself has been a patient at the neonatal unit in Wishaw, has warned over mothers from the Central Belt having to be transferred to Aberdeen or 'shipped off to Ireland' amid current pressures on maternity units in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Hamilton added: 'We've heard from staff who are saying actually in Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's very likely that they're always full and they're always really busy so it would be Aberdeen. 'If you think about the areas that Aberdeen has got to support, it will just be adding to the pressure on already under-pressure services.' Amanda Todd from South Lanarkshire, has lifted the lid on being just hours away from being transferred to Dublin to give birth before a bed was found for her at the 11th hour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highlighting her experience in 2021, Ms Todd said: 'I was told they didn't have any bed for me or the baby. 'The day before I was being transferred in the morning, luckily there was a space in the ICU for her. Otherwise, we were going to Dublin. 'We were told that if we hadn't had the room, you were over in Dublin. It was just really scary.' Tammy Johnstone holds three year old Kai as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, deputy Jackie Ballie and candidate Davy Russell meet with parents and Wishaw neonatal campaigners (Photo by Jeff) | Getty Images Tammy Johnstone said it would be 'traumatic' to be forced to travel long distances. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She added: 'You just wouldn't cope with going to Aberdeen. Even if you are a driver, where's the finances coming from?' Ms Johnstone said she was not allowed to put her hands on her son, Kai, 'for 72 hours after birth' due to how sick he was during a lengthy stay in Wishaw. She added: 'He was four weeks old before I was allowed to physically pick him up. 'How would he have been put in any ambulance and travelled anywhere, let alone hours up to Aberdeen? Doing things like that and transporting them at such an early age while they are so fragile can cause everlasting damage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, has criticised the Scottish Government for pushing ahead with condensing specialist services. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie | PA She warned that 'Glasgow currently can't cope with the numbers they have going to them' adding that Wishaw was being used as an overflow for the city. She said: 'The reality is Glasgow and Edinburgh cannot cope with additional patients coming from Wishaw. 'The Government had a choice. The report that they commissioned recommended anything between three and five specialist neonatal units. They could have decided to have four and kept Wishaw, because if you look at the population of Scotland, the bulk of it is across the Central Belt, you need the capacity of Glasgow, Wishaw and Edinburgh operating together to cover all of that and including the south of Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To suggest that somebody from Wishaw, who is very ill, or potentially has the smallest, sickest babies, should travel to Aberdeen is just nonsense - it's just clinically inappropriate. 'We are in danger of doing the wrong thing. It is not just the babies, but some of the mums might well end up dying as a consequence of this. We cannot afford for that to happen.' Deputy First Minister and SNP MSP Kate Forbes gave birth to her daughter Naomi in 2022. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with SNP candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Katie Loudon | Getty Images Speaking to The Scotsman, Ms Forbes said: 'My primary interest is in the safety of the littlest babies that we are supporting through the National Health Service. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When a clinician says that the safest option for this little baby is at a specialist unit at another location, then I think politicians need to listen to that clinician. 'If something were to happen to that baby after a politician had overturned clinical advice, then I don't think that politician could live with themselves. 'My primary interest is to deliver services as close to people as possible but when clinical advice is clear that protecting the littlest, most vulnerable patients requires a slight change in service, I think we need to take that seriously.' The NHS and the future of maternity services at Wishaw have been key issues on the doorsteps during the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Labour candidate, Davy Russell, warned that 'people are very anxious'. He added: 'Why are they closing down Wishaw neonatal - an award-winning unit with top staff, top quality services? The Scottish Government should be hanging its head in shame.' SNP candidate, Katy Loudon, has stressed that the advice of medical professionals should be paramount. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said that mothers would 'crawl over hot coals' and 'would fly to the moon…to make sure their child was receiving whatever they needed'. She added: 'It's really important when we talk about the smallest and the sickest babies, they are receiving world-class treatment.' Lynne Huckerby, NHS Lanarkshire deputy director of acute services, said: 'We understand that national discussions around neonatal capacity might be concerning but we want to reassure families that the safety and wellbeing of mothers and their babies remain our highest priority. 'Currently, in some circumstances, mothers and babies are transferred to other maternity units to ensure they receive the appropriate level of care in the most suitable clinical setting. All neonatal units work collaboratively to ensure that capacity is available for babies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Where local neonatal capacity is stretched, transfer arrangements are made through the Scottish Ambulance Service or Scottish Neonatal Transport Service. These situations are managed on a case-by-case basis. Transfers to distant locations are only considered when absolutely necessary and no closer options are available. We are not aware of any cases where a transfer to Dublin has been necessary.' READ MORE: Safety concerns found at maternity unit at major Scottish hospital as NHS health board given warning A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Local neonatal units, including Wishaw, will continue to provide care to the vast majority of babies who need it, including a level of intensive care. No neonatal units are closing as part of these plans. 'The decision to create three national Neonatal Intensive Care Units has been made in line with strong evidence and advice from expert clinicians that care for babies at highest risk is safest in units that treat a higher number of patients.
CBC
28-01-2025
- CBC
Dutch court rejects bid by Amanda Todd's tormentor to scrap Canadian sentence
Social Sharing The Dutch Supreme Court has rejected online extortionist Aydin Coban's bid to scrap his Canadian sentence for tormenting B.C. teenager Amanda Todd. Coban is a Dutch national who was extradited, tried and given a 13-year sentence in B.C., before being sent back to the Netherlands where he was already serving time for separate offences. The Canadian sentence was then converted to six years by Dutch authorities. The Netherlands Supreme Court has now upheld the converted sentence, saying in a decision posted online Tuesday that Coban's lawyers wanted the term reduced to zero because the maximum sentence had already been imposed in the similar Dutch case against him. But the court disagreed, saying that those rules in the Dutch criminal code did not apply to the conversion of a sentence imposed in Canada. Coban was convicted by B.C. Supreme Court in 2022 of the extortion and harassment of Port Coquitlam teenager Todd, who died by suicide at the age of 15. WATCH | Amanda Todd's mother speaks to CBC in 2023 after Coban's Dutch sentencing: Amanda Todd's mother content with Aydin Cobin's Dutch sentence 1 year ago Duration 2:59 She took her own life in October 2012 after being blackmailed and harassed online by Coban for years, starting when Todd was 12. The month before Todd died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced and how it had affected her life. It has since been viewed millions of times. A Dutch court sentenced him to almost 11 years in prison for similar online offences following a trial in Amsterdam in 2017, where he was accused of the online abuse of 34 girls and five gay men. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, here's where to get help: This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about. Police also suggest the following to avoid falling victim to sexual extortion: Never answer video calls from people you don't know. If you mistakenly connect with someone you don't know over live stream, immediately hang up. Always answer video calls with the camera turned off until you know the identity of the person calling.
