The hacker responsible for the ‘world’s biggest celebrity scandal’ has threatened to reveal more intimate pictures after he was forced to go on the run from FBI agents.
The architect of Sunday’s leak - referred to by other posters as the ‘Original Guy’ - said he had fled his hideout fearing the net was closing in on him as the international manhunt got underway.
But just hours before leaving his hideout on Monday night the fugitive said he would reveal more of the stolen images and videos in return for online bitcoin donations from those willing to pay to see.
Original Guy also revealed the conspiracy was “the result of several months of long and hard work” involving more than just one hacker.
In a thinly veiled dig at the authorities he then thanked his ‘supporters’ for sharing the images on the AnonIB website before they were then re-posted on Internet forum 4chan on Sunday.
Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence, 24, is one of several stars to have reported the stolen images to the authorities which sparked a global hunt for the hacker.
Despite using America-based websites to expose the pictures, it is not yet known what nationality Original Guy is.
A FBI source said: “Whenever anyone steals information from another computer or device there is a trail left behind.
“Agents have a long and proven record of bringing those responsible to justice and they are confident they will get their man or woman.
“It is a disgraceful breach of privacy, the likes of which we have never seen before.
“It is a game of cat and mouse now - only the FBI has very big claws.”
Despite a federal investigation the agency remains powerless to stop the continued spread of photos.
As agents began poring over computer records a new wave of explicit photos, believed to have been taken from their Apple iCloud accounts, were leaked online.
They came amid claims the graphic images may have been passed around an online hacking club for months before being made available to the general public.
More images of American Hustle star Lawrence as well as former Downton Abbey actress Jessica Brown Findlay, 24, are said to be included in the new batch.
On Sunday hundreds of pictures and videos were leaked on to the Internet of 101 celebrities including supermodel Kate Upton, Kirsten Dunst, Selena Gomez and Glee star Lea Michele.
British stars said to be targeted included Kelly Brook, Cat Deeley and Cara Delevingne, although as yet no pictures have been seen.
Several victims have demanded action which sparked the FBI investigation.
A spokesman for Lawrence, who has been rumoured to be dating Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, confirmed the images were genuine.
He said: “This is a flagrant violation of privacy.
“The authorities have been contacted and will prosecute anyone who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence.”
Another victim, Die Hard star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, took to Twitter to express her disgust.
She wrote: “To those of you looking at photos I took with my husband years ago in the privacy of our home, hope you feel great about yourselves.”
She also expressed sympathy for others, tweeting “Knowing those photos were deleted long ago, I can only imagine the creepy effort that went into this.
"Feeling for everyone who got hacked.”
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told the Mirror it was “aware of the allegations concerning computer intrusions and the unlawful release of material involving high profile individuals, and is addressing the matter”.
Apple is also investigating a possible breach of its iCloud accounts but has yet to make a formal statement on the scandal.
