I'm a big advocate for Bitcoin, and saw this come through on the forums this morning. Interesting stuff:
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/anonymous-group-allegedly-hacked-romney-tax-records-franklin-firm
From the ransom demand:
All major news media outlets are going to be sent an encrypted copy of the most recent tax years that your company had on file since you did not have them all in a convenient electronic form. The years before 2010 will be of great interest to many. If the parties interested do not want the encrypted key released to the public to unlock these documents on September 28 of this year then payment will be necessary.
The deal is quite simple. Convert $1,000,000 USD to Bitcoins (Google if if you need a lesson on what Bitcoin is) using the various markets available out in the world for buying. Transfer the Bitcoins gathered to the Bitcoin address listed below. It does not matter if small amounts or one large amount is transferred, as long as the final value of the Bitcoins is equal to $1,000,000 USD at the time when it is finished. The keys to unlock the data will be purged and what ever is inside the documents will remain a secret forever.
Failure to do this before September 28, the entire world will be allowed to view the documents with a publicly released key to unlock everything.
Bitcoin Address to Stop Release: [redacted]
And the same time, the other interested parties will be allowed to compete with you. For those that DO want the documents released will have an different address to send to. If $1,000,000 USD is sent to this account below first; then the encryption keys will be made available to the world right away. So this is an equal opportunity for the documents to remain locked away forever or to be exposed before the September 28 deadline.
Who-ever is the winner does not matter to us.
The nature of Bitcoin is such that, if used correctly, it is impossible to trace to whom money sent is paid.
To see what's been sent to the "Prevent release" address:
1HeF89wMjC48bWNgWvVo7Wu3RaLW8XVsE8
... and the "release them" address:
12AP6iCwRNFQqKLStH3A4b4hw3SL6RaNgB
Finally, be aware that this whole thing is likely a fraud. Lots of people would like to see Bitcoin gain visibility, either positive or negative. Still, I don't think it much matters - it's relevant to the campaign and to Bitcoin if the story grows legs, whether or not they have the documents they claim.