One of Australia’s most famous sports figures is caught up in shocking data leak that saw man charged with blackmail – and several footy stars have also been exposed
- A man, 46, allegedly threatened to reveal identity information online
- More than a million Australians could be affected
EXCLUSIVE
Numerous homegrown sporting figures may have been caught up in the data breach that saw a Sydney man accused of blackmail – including one of the biggest names in Australian football.
It comes after the 46-year-old reportedly threatened to reveal more than a million identifying details – including names, phone numbers and home addresses – of Australian club and pubgoers.
He was arrested in Fairfield West, in Sydney’s west, on Thursday before being taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with menacing with intent to cause gain/loss.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is among the potential online victims, as are Central Coast Mariners club legend Matt Simon, current Socceroos defender Kye Rowles and Western Sydney Wanderers star Jack Clisby.
Scores of homegrown sports figures have been implicated in the data breach that saw a Sydney man accused of blackmail (stock image)
It comes after the 46-year-old reportedly threatened to reveal up to a million identifying details – including names, phone numbers and home addresses – of Australian club and pub goers (stock image)
Former Newcastle Knights NRL halfback Mitchell Pearce, center Bradman Best and prop Daniel Safiti have also been caught up in the breach.
The sporting stars from both codes provided their details at locations including Breakers Country Club in Wamberal on the NSW central coast, East Maitland Bowling Club and Gwandalan Bowling Club.
The breach involved IT group Outabox, whose services for several hospitality venues resulted in the private data of more than a million Australians being exposed.
Before his arrest, the man – who was released on bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court on June 12 – threatened to reveal numerous identifying details.
The website, discovered this week, had published details of people using their driver’s license and other personal details to log in at 17 locations in NSW and the ACT.
It has led to calls for better data processing and changes to mandates, with all 1200 registered clubs in NSW required to record customer identity details.
Police said the breach is believed to have come from a third-party provider.
Police are also urging customers to wait until they are told they have been affected by the breach before changing any personal details.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is among the potential online victims following the data breach
Former Newcastle Knights NRL halfback Mitchell Pearce, (pictured) center Bradman Best and prop Daniel Safiti may also be in danger
Privacy protection expert Philip Bos said the breach illustrates how Australians are often forced to hand over information to organizations that do not know how to properly or securely handle confidential data.
Some affected clubs had already terminated contracts with the external provider, partly because it sent data abroad.
Registered clubs are required by law to document and store the personal information of customers entering their venues in NSW.
If convicted, the suspected perpetrator faces a prison sentence of up to ten years.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Graham Arnold for comment.