A California man was arrested for allegedly attempting to extort $200,000 from a New York-based life insurance company by threatening to send false statements about the company in emails to customers and insurance agents through a spam email campaign.

Anthony Digati, 52, of Chino, Calif. is accused in a criminal complaint, unsealed March 8, of sending a threatening email Feb. 22 to more than two dozen employees, executives and one member of the life insurance company’s board, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The company was not identified in court records or by prosecutors.

The email told company officials to visit a website Digati allegedly created – www.[insurance company name]products.com. He then allegedly explained that he intended to share the contents of the website with 6 million couples with children ages 25-40 through a spam email campaign, unless he was paid $198.303.88, court records show. The amount he requested was to increase to $3 million, after his alleged campaign was to begin March 8, prosecutors said.

Digati also allegedly intended to share his views on the company with 200,000 people through social networking websites, as well as all employees of the company, records and officials said.

Digati was declared bankrupt last year, owing more than $1.2 million, according to the New York Post.

He allegedly sent a letter to the company, dated Feb. 4, noting his “dissatisfaction” with the performance of a variable universal life policy obtained from the unnamed insurance company.

The Feb. 22 email said, “I HIGHLY suggest you visit this website and contact me afterwards,” referring viewers to a site allegedly created by Digati, records show.

He is charged with one count of extortion through interstate communications, for which he could face up to two years in prison, as well as a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary loss or gain derived from the offense.

The case shows that “cyber-extortion has become an emerging for criminals to hold businesses at virtual gunpoint, threatening them with widespread spamming and other Internet-based attacks, said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement.

The investigation involved the New York FBI office, as well as the Riverside, Calif., resident agent from the Los Angeles FBI office.

// Prosecutors say the email Anthony Digati allegedly sent to insurance company officials Feb. 22 included the following text:

“a. These things, unless you honor the below claim, WILL HAPPEN on March 8, 2010.
b. As you have denied my claim I can only respond in this way.  You no longer have a choice in the matter, unless of course you want me to continue with this outlined plan. I have nothing to lose, you have everything to lose.
c. My demand is now for $198,303.88.  This amount is NOT negotiable, you had your chance to make me an offer, now I call the shots.
d. I have 6 MILLION emails going out to couples with children age 25-40, this email campaign is ordered and paid for. 2 million go out on the 8th and every two days 2 million more for three weeks rotating the list. Of course it is spam, I hired a spam service, I could care less, The damge [sic] will be done.
e. I am a huge social networker, and I am highly experienced.  200,000 people will be directly contacted by me through social networks, slamming your integrity and directing them to this website within days.
f. I think you get the idea, I am going to drag your company name and reputation, through the muddiest waters imaginable.  This will cost you millions in lost revenues, trust and credibility not to mention the advertising you will be buying to counter mine.  Sad thing is it’s almost free for me!
g. The process is in motion and will be released on March 8th, 2010.  If you delay and the site goes live, The price will then be $3,000,000.00.”