Shayna Jack targeted in 'disgusting' extortion attempt
Aussie swimmer Shayna Jack has contacted Queensland Police after she was the victim of a ‘disgusting’ online extortion attack.
Jack, currently in the middle of an appeal to have her four-year doping suspension dropped, was the target of hackers who sent her a number of disturbing messages.
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According to the Daily Telegraph, one of the messages said: “I can see what you’re doing at all times.”
“It’s disgusting,’’ the 21-year-old’s lawyer Tim Fuller told the Telegraph.
“Clearly she’s shaken by it all. We’ve informed the relevant authorities including Police and the Court of Arbitration for sport.’’
The hackers are said to have contacted Jack earlier this week threatening to post photos of her unless she sent them money.
“If you don’t pay – you will regret this,’’ the message read. “Did you really use them (banned substances), does that mean you can’t swim again?”
After Jack contacted an IT specialist for help the hackers got in contact again.
“I’m in a different country, you can’t do anything against me, you have to pay,” they reportedly said.
“I can see what you’re doing at all times.’’
At 3am on Tuesday she was told: “I will share something that will disturb you, if you do not answer.’’
Later on Tuesday morning a post appeared on Jack’s Facebook page reading: “I regret I used doping in the 2017 Olympics” (despite no such Olympics existing).
Jack’s Facebook and Instagram accounts have since been taken down.
Shayna Jack fighting to save her career
The date for Jack's appeal hearing for a four-year doping violation ban has been kept secret as Australian swimming's rising star fights to clear her name.
Earlier this month The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the hearing had been locked in.
“Please be advised that a hearing date has been set for this procedure,” CAS said in a statement.
“However, at the request of the parties and of the arbitrator in charge of the proceedings, the date will not be communicated.”
Jack is appealing the four-year ban recommended by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) in March.
It was the maximum suspension for a first doping offence.
The sprint star sent a defiant social media post last month declaring she was ready to “win this fight” after revealing she had received an update on her CAS appeal but did not specify a date.
Jack has protested her innocence since being stood down from the Australian team in the lead-up to the 2019 world titles in July last year before it emerged she had tested positive to Ligandrol, a muscle growth agent.
A member of Australia's world record-breaking 4x100m freestyle relay team, Jack has denied knowingly taking the drug and claimed the banned substance could have got into her system by contamination.
with AAP
