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Researcher warns of possible Mossad hack after bizarre emails…

A security researcher received strange emails demanding cat photos and now suspects Israeli intelligence is behind them; the ransom is oddly cute.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 6:10 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Cat — Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Haaretz: “'You owe us 12 cat pictures' • Security researcher warns of possible Mossad hack after getting bizarre emails”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:10 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock; aired 3 times.

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Haaretz'You owe us 12 cat pictures' • Security researcher warns of possible Mossad hack after getting bizarre emails

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA security researcher is warning of a possible Mossad hack after receiving bizarre emails that said, quote, you owe us twelve cat pictures.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTwelve? That's the most reasonable ransom I've ever heard. I have forty on my phone from this week.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's an intelligence agency, Vera.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThen they'll appreciate the lighting. I've already picked the twelve.

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