Israeli Police have arrested a local man suspected of leaking several demo versions of songs off Madonna’s new album, Rebel Heart, online.
The 39-year-old was arrested today (January 21) after a month-long investigation launched by a cyber crime unit of Israel’s Lahav 433 branch and a private investigation firm. According to a statement by Lahav 433, a crime-fighting organization similar to the FBI, the suspect “broke into the personal computers of several international artists over the past few months and stole promotional final-cut singles which have yet to be released and traded them online for a fee."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cyber crime unit has been working with the FBI to investigate other computer hacks on pop stars.
“In light of the findings of the investigation the unit collaborated closely with the FBI, with suspicion of even more break-ins to computers owned by unknown international artists, stealing and selling their works,” added Lahav 433.
Back in December, a "terrorism level" leak of the full album's worth of rough demos hit the net, causing Madonna to rush the release plan for Rebel Heart and announce a March 10, 2015 drop date, complete with a six-pack of new cuts with every pre-order. Among the new tracks, included collaborations with Diplo, Ariel Rechtshaid, Kanye West and Mike Dean, alongside "newcomers" Sophie and Blood Diamonds.
The Tel Aviv investigative firm handling the case said it began investigating the leak after receiving a complaint from the pop icon’s manager, Guy Oseary. The firm confirmed it sent an agent to New York “to check the singer’s personal computer, confirming there was indeed a break in from a computer in Israel.”
An official gag order has been issued on the suspect’s name, although local reports have already indicated that the man was a former contestant on one of Israel’s popular television singing competition shows. (Revolt)
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