Qantas has confirmed it has been contacted by a potential cybercriminal less than a week after announcing a significant data breach that impacted up to 6 million of its customers. The airline is currently verifying the legitimacy of the contact and has reported the incident to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

In a statement released on Monday, Qantas did not specify the nature of the communication or whether a ransom was requested. However, it emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring customer data remains secure. A spokesperson for the AFP confirmed it is investigating the matter, stating that Qantas has been "highly engaged" in assisting with the inquiry.

The breach was first detected last week when unusual activity was identified on a third-party platform used by a Qantas contact center. While the airline is still determining the full extent of the data stolen, it has confirmed that no credit card details, personal financial information, or passport data were accessed during the incident.

Qantas has been working closely with cybersecurity experts to conduct a forensic analysis of the affected system. The investigation has concluded that the system is now secure, and the airline has assured customers that there is no impact on its operations or the safety of its flights.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has publicly apologized to affected customers, acknowledging the stress and concern caused by the breach. In an interview with Channel Seven in Athens, she stated, "We take this seriously and we are going to do everything that we can to communicate transparently."

Cybersecurity experts have urged Qantas customers to remain vigilant in the coming days, as such breaches often lead to an increase in phishing attempts and scams. The airline has also advised customers to monitor their accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately.

As the investigation continues, Qantas remains focused on restoring customer trust and ensuring robust security measures are in place to prevent future incidents. The airline has reiterated its commitment to transparency and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.