This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-32840077

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US embassy worker in London accused of 'sextortion' US embassy worker in London accused of 'sextortion'
(about 9 hours later)
A worker at the US embassy in London is accused of cyberstalking hundreds of women, threatening to post their private photos unless they met his demands.A worker at the US embassy in London is accused of cyberstalking hundreds of women, threatening to post their private photos unless they met his demands.
Michael C Ford, who has lived in the UK since 2006, was arrested last week while visiting family in Atlanta.Michael C Ford, who has lived in the UK since 2006, was arrested last week while visiting family in Atlanta.
Prosecutors say Mr Ford hacked accounts of women to obtain sexually explicit images of them.Prosecutors say Mr Ford hacked accounts of women to obtain sexually explicit images of them.
The US State Department says he is no longer working at the embassy.The US State Department says he is no longer working at the embassy.
Mr Ford threatened his victims with the stolen images, demanding that they shoot videos of other women undressing, prosecutors said.Mr Ford threatened his victims with the stolen images, demanding that they shoot videos of other women undressing, prosecutors said.
"I want you to record videos of sexy girls changing. In gyms, clothing stores, pools... You do that, and I disappear," he wrote to one victim, according to the court documents."I want you to record videos of sexy girls changing. In gyms, clothing stores, pools... You do that, and I disappear," he wrote to one victim, according to the court documents.
When the victim did not comply, prosecutors said he wrote a follow-up email. "OK, time's up. Everything I have will be posted online and sent to your friends. Pictures, name, phone number, home address... I gave you a chance and you blew it!" it read.When the victim did not comply, prosecutors said he wrote a follow-up email. "OK, time's up. Everything I have will be posted online and sent to your friends. Pictures, name, phone number, home address... I gave you a chance and you blew it!" it read.
'Phishing' scams'Phishing' scams
In at least one case, prosecutors say, he emailed private photos to one woman's parents and brother.In at least one case, prosecutors say, he emailed private photos to one woman's parents and brother.
Mr Ford, 35, is accused of getting the women's passwords through "phishing" scams using his State Department computer at the embassy.Mr Ford, 35, is accused of getting the women's passwords through "phishing" scams using his State Department computer at the embassy.
"He targeted women at US colleges and universities and was looking for women who were members of sororities … and aspiring models," Mona Sedky, a lawyer with the US Justice Department, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper. "He is just relentless.""He targeted women at US colleges and universities and was looking for women who were members of sororities … and aspiring models," Mona Sedky, a lawyer with the US Justice Department, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper. "He is just relentless."
Prosecutors say he once posed as a Google employee to obtain passwords.Prosecutors say he once posed as a Google employee to obtain passwords.
US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Thursday that Mr Ford was no longer working at the embassy. Ms Harf described Mr Ford as "administrative support employee". US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Thursday that Mr Ford was no longer working at the embassy. Ms Harf described Mr Ford as an "administrative support employee".