Hackers take over control of giant city centre billboard posting huge swastika and messages mocking Islam

Hackers took over a giant city centre electronic billboard where they uploaded a huge image of a swastika as well as messages mocking Islam.

The giant screen in Cardiff's city centre towers over Queen Street, one of the city's main hubs attracting thousands of shoppers and tourists every day.

Usually showing messages of upcoming events or adverts for shops and restaurants in the city, shoppers were horrified when unsettling messages suddenly appeared on-screen.

At one point a Nazi symbol shone from the billboard, before a message read: "Warning. This is a Shariah controlled zone. No alcohol, no gambling, no porn."

The giant screen was allegedly hacked on Tuesday night by a group who claimed on social media that they “had a little fun”, reports Wales Online .

A poster on the thread Politically Incorrect, on internet site 4chan, wrote on Twitter: “Some Anons from /pol/ were able to hack into a billboard in Cardiff, Wales.

“As you can see, they had a little fun.”

There were also images of memes and a poster which read “Big Brother is watching you”, according to the social media account.

Another showed a cartoon image of Donald Trump , doctored to include a lizard in replacement of his own face.

A South Wales Police spokesman said they were investigating the incident after receiving a number of calls from concerned bypassers.

In a statement they said: “On Tuesday evening South Wales Police received a number of calls relating to concerns regarding messages being displayed on the screens in Queen Street, Cardiff.

“We alerted the city council and will investigate any crimes which may have been committed.”

Welshanon on 4chan hacks Cardiff's large public advertisement screen. #shadilay #kek #pepe pic.twitter.com/83boS9ofCm

— Jimbo (@RTBiscuit) 31 июля 2017 г.

The billboard is operated by blowUP media, who have been contacted for comment.

A spokesman Cardiff Council said: “The council has contacted the company that own and operate the advertising screen. The screen was switched off at midnight on Tuesday night.” 

Originally published on Mirror