Presque Isle Police Department Listed by avaddon Ransomware Group: Ransomware Claim — What’s Alleged & What To Do

On April 18, 2021, the Presque Isle Police Department appeared on a leak site operated by the Avaddon ransomware group. The listing indicated that internal files had been taken during a ransomware incident, though the number of people affected and the precise contents of those files remain undisclosed. This development matters because police departments routinely collect and store records that identify individuals, document contacts with law enforcement, and support ongoing investigations. Any unauthorized release of such material can affect privacy, safety planning, and public trust in local institutions.

What happened

The incident came to public notice when the Presque Isle Police Department was added to the Avaddon group’s leak site on April 18, 2021. The group stated that it had exfiltrated internal files during a ransomware attack. No further details on the timing of the intrusion, the volume of data taken, or the method of access have been released by either the department or the operators of the site.

Inside avaddon

Avaddon operated as a ransomware group between 2020 and 2021. Its typical approach combined file encryption with the threat of publishing stolen data on a dedicated leak site if ransom demands were not met. The group targeted organizations across multiple sectors and maintained a public listing of victims to apply additional pressure. In this case the listing of the Presque Isle Police Department constitutes the group’s claim; no independent confirmation of the data theft has been published.

Who is Presque Isle Police Department?

The Presque Isle Police Department is a municipal law-enforcement agency serving Presque Isle, Maine. Like other local police departments, it maintains records related to calls for service, incident reports, criminal investigations, and administrative functions. These records often contain names, addresses, dates of birth, and other identifying details of residents and visitors. A breach at such an agency is consequential because the information it holds can directly affect individuals’ safety and legal standing.

What was likely exposed

The only data category named in connection with the listing is “internal files exfiltrated in ransomware attack.” The exact nature of those files has not been disclosed. Agencies of this type commonly hold incident reports, witness statements, arrest records, and internal communications. Without a confirmed inventory, it is not possible to state which specific records, if any, were taken.

The real-world impact

Individuals named in police records may face heightened risks of identity misuse or unwanted attention if those records become public. The department itself may experience operational disruption while responding to the incident and restoring systems. Because the scale of exposure remains unknown, affected residents cannot yet determine whether their personal information is involved.

Were you affected?

Residents who have had contact with the Presque Isle Police Department can monitor official statements from the department for further information. A practical first step is to review credit reports and place fraud alerts if personal identifiers appear to have been exposed. Readers can also run a free exposure scan of their email address against known breach data to check for prior appearances in public listings.

AICompiled with AI assistance from public sources and published under our editorial standards.