Sextortion Scams Now Include Photos of Your Home
A new wave of sextortion scams uses personalized threats, including victims' home photos, demanding Bitcoin ransoms to prevent video release. The FBI advises caution and encourages reporting such incidents.
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A new wave of sextortion scams has emerged, incorporating personalized elements to increase their effectiveness. These emails, which threaten to release compromising videos supposedly recorded via the recipient's webcam, now include photos of the victim's home, likely sourced from online mapping services like Google Maps. The messages address recipients by name and reference their street address, creating a more intimidating atmosphere. Victims are typically demanded to pay a ransom in Bitcoin, often around $2,000, within 24 hours to prevent the release of the alleged videos to their contacts. The emails also contain threats against anyone who discusses the scam, claiming that sharing the information will lead to immediate action. The FBI warns that sextortion is a serious crime and advises individuals to avoid sending compromising images, refrain from opening suspicious attachments, and cover webcams when not in use. The agency encourages victims to report such incidents to local authorities or the FBI.
- Sextortion scams now include personalized threats with photos of victims' homes.
- Victims are often demanded to pay a ransom in Bitcoin to prevent video release.
- The FBI advises against sending compromising images and opening unknown attachments.
- Victims are encouraged to report sextortion attempts to local authorities or the FBI.
- The scams exploit fear and intimidation to manipulate victims into compliance.
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24 commentsI'm curious how many people just send back nude photos of themselves and just call the bluff. You can always claim it was AI generated, wait, send back AI generated nudes and see if it also works.
I hate that I typed any of this on HN. Programmer brain of trying to break software.
If you agree to pay, they can ask you for more in response.
When they cannot confirm that you have read an e-mail, simply don't respond to it. Do not even let them know you have received the message.
I mention this because I see three comments have been banned by this already, in this thread.
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