The Canvas Owner's Dilemma: Paying Ransom to Hackers The art world has long been aware of the threat posed by online thieves and hackers who target collectors and galleries for their valuable artwork.
However, a new trend has emerged in recent years: wildlife smugglers extorting ransom from canvas owners whose artwork features or contains endangered species.
This phenomenon is linked to a larger issue of wildlife smuggling, which has become increasingly profitable due to the rise of online marketplaces and social media.