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Is the Porn Blackmail Scam Real?

by Josh Kirschner on April 22, 2020

What would you do if you received an email from someone claiming to have hacked your computer and recorded you via your webcam while you were engaged in watching porn, then threatening to send the video to everyone in your email and social media contact lists if you don’t pay a $260 ransom? Would you pay the ransom? Even if you’ve never viewed porn, what if they made the same threat to reveal the private details of all your emails?

This is exactly the situation some of our readers found themselves in recently, and they contacted us for help on how to proceed.

Here is an example of one the emails [grammatical errors left intact]:

Good Morning my friend. I represent the group of web criminals in Iran. I use this mail address because we think that you will check it. Few times ago my team put the virus on web-site with porn and as far as you clicked on a play button your system started shooting your screen and activating camera to capture you self-abusing. Eventually I mean you understand what compromising evidence Ive earned. Moreover, this software made your device act as dedicated server with plenty of functions like keylogger, parser etc. To sum up, my software picked all data, especially all your contacts from messengers, e-mails, social networks. If you wanna make me silent you must make a transaction of 260 dollars with bitcoin. 1K2auXQEKz7Ro8cRa2xr3bAPV2n6KT5vi1 You must use it as usual credit card number. If you send bitcoins nobody will see your shame. Watch youtube manuals about methods of buing BTC... I can offer you this exchanger: localbitoins.com.  If you have a problem with this, you can search comfortable ATM for bitcoin at coin atm radar. I give you no more than twenty four hours since you read our message to pay. You can complain cops, but they can not find us I use bot network, and of course we live abroad. If you want us to show proofs we will share it to seven mates from your data after that you will be given their contacts. So you will ask them if something strange was received about you. For some questions just reply. Dont be fullish, AmAZinGcRackeR$.

Scary, right? And there have been instances where victims’ computers were hacked, they were filmed in various states of undress (or worse) and then blackmailed that may make this threat seem all too real. But there are several indications that this is nothing more than a phishing scam, hoping to rope in active porn watchers with false threats (an easy demographic to target via mass email given that the world’s largest porn site, Pornhub.com, gets 75 million visitors PER DAY).

First, there is nothing in the email that demonstrates they know anything personally about you: it’s not addressed to you by name and there’s no detail about what site you supposedly visited and when. Nor did they supply a screenshot of the “self-abusing” they allege to have captured. In fact, they are explicitly discouraging you from asking for proof, by threatening to share said “proofs” with your “mates” if you ask. That is completely contrary to how we would expect a real hacker/blackmailer to act – if I wanted to scare the bejesus out of you to get you to pay, the first thing I would do is show you a compromising screen capture to prove that this is very, very real.

Another red flag is that when our readers ran scans using antimalware tools, no malware was detected. Antimalware tools aren’t perfect, but the better ones should have picked up the type of remote administration tool (RAT) described in the email.

Searching the web, there are reports of people receiving similar email scams, going back at least to last fall. The wording of the email varies, including where the scammers claim they’re from, the nature of their threat and the amount of money being demanded. Some people are falling for them, but fortunately not many. I researched a selection of the bitcoin accounts used in these scams and none of the emails had duped more than a handful of victims.

Unfortunately, these scams will likely continue and morph into new threats as the ubiquity of bitcoin makes it easier for scammers to hide behind these accounts and for victims to pay. In fact, while this article was originally written in March of 2018, Sophos security recently released a new study, based on millions of porn blackmail emails that were sent between September 2019 and March 2020, demonstrating this to be the case. During that period, sextortion emails made up 4.23% of all spam observed by Sophos. The study also showed scammers are using new methods for obfuscating email content to evade spam filters, enabling them to collect nearly a half million dollars in payments from victims during the same period. Fortunately, despite some payouts, potential victims seem to be becoming wise to the scam, as only half a percent of the Bitcoin addresses used in the spam messages received any payment, according to Sophos.

So, if you get one of these emails, should you pay the ransom before all your friends find out what you’ve been up to?

The answer is no, don’t be “fullish”.

[EDITOR'S NOTE REGARDING PASSWORD APPEARING IN THE EMAIL SCAM 7/12/18: A number of people have posted in the comments that they received a version of the email which includes a real password they've used in the past. Does this mean that they should be concerned? The answer is No and Yes. No, you shouldn't be concerned that your computer was hacked and you were actually filmed watching porn - it's still a scam. But, yes, you should be concerned that your password has been leaked through a data breach. Security researcher Troy Hunt has uncovered more than 500 million passwords leaked through these breaches. That password in the email was likely one of them. 

If it is still an active password for you, the scam email should be a big wake up call that you need to ensure you are using unique and secure passwords for every one of your accounts. We strongly recommend a password manager like Dashlane or 1Password , which will automatically check your passwords to see if they have been revealed in a breach and help you create unique, secure ones for every site.]

[EDITOR'S NOTE WARNING ABOUT ATTACHMENTS 7/20/18: One reader reported receiving an attachment titled "Invoice" with the porn scam email. If you get an attachment, DO NOT OPEN IT. Email attachments are one of the primary ways hackers use to install malware on your computer, which could turn this fake malware scam into a very real one.]

[EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT EMAIL SPOOFING 10/19/18: Many readers are commenting that the porn blackmail email appears to be sent from their own email address, causing added concern the hacking claims may be real. But don't be fooled. Email spoofing has been around for a long time and is relatively easy to do. Usually the message headers will reveal the true sending email address. Here's how to tell if an email has been spoofed.]

[EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT WORK VS PERSONAL EMAILS 1/21/19: A number of people are expressing concern in the comments that the blackmail email is coming to their work email, instead of their personal email (or both). It doesn't matter — an email address is a email address as far as this scam goes. Billions of emails have been leaked over the years, many of those from business-focused services such as Dropbox, LinkedIn and Adobe. If I check to see which of my email addresses have been involved in breaches, my work email has been breached many more times than my personal email.

Originally published 3/12/18. Updated 4/22/2020 with new data from Sophos

[Image credit: Man in a dark room at a computer via BigStockPhoto]


Topics

Computer Safety & Support, News, Computers and Software, Blog


Discussion loading

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From RE on June 25, 2018 :: 9:26 am


Hello

I really hope not to hurt your heart or anything with this letter and i certainly not here to blame you, although it will be kind of fucked up if anyone from your list of contacts or relatives will witness you doing your dirty shit right in front of them. It’s your life and ur choice and i will do mine.

Alright, enough of this shit, recently u went to a site with adult videos with my virus, hope u know what that is.

soi got received all the contact info from ur computer then also I obtained an access to your cam, so captured everything, and later edited it to a single splitscreen,  with the stuff you watched on one side of the screen and playing with your shit on the right. Wish you are paying attention here.

In any case, if you want me to totallydestroy this video. 550 sum in Usd will settle this situation.

1JQHYK6LQAamFSS8X25pfTJrFevnUUr82B

i take btc(cryptocurrency).

You will be given 4 days letter, a really simple track down program will let me when this happens.

I will share this video to all your contacts if I do not see my funds. You definitely can call your authorities I am from a totally different country and region, so you are welcome to do anything u want. Please do not reply to this address, because i won’t be able to receive anything from you.

Respectfully Yours.

Do I need to be concerned here?  Should I send this Bitcoin?

Reply

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From Josh Kirschner on June 25, 2018 :: 11:53 am


This is the same scam, with marginally better English. Don’t send bitcoin.

Reply

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From John on June 26, 2018 :: 7:57 am


Received a very similar email except it had my name in the opening line. I checked the return address and it was to some sight overseas in French. The sender was Jay Porter.

Reply

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From Ole juhl pedersen on June 30, 2018 :: 1:30 am


Hi.

Hope you actually will not mind my english language sentence structure, because i am from Saudi arabia. I contaminated your machine with a virus and im in possession of your private information out of your operating-system.

It was installed on a mature site after which you have selected the movie, clicked on it, my program quickly got into your os.

Afterward, your webcamera captured you wank, besides i captured a footage that you’ve looked at.


Immediately after a short while in addition, it picked up all your device contact info. If you ever wish me to wipe out your all that i currently have - transfer me 400 euros in bitcoin it is a cryptocurrency. This is my btc wallet address : 12KcxYFJSRHsdQLDNGKwmr6fneiSoLKCeG

Now you will have 26 hr s. to make a decision The moment i will get the transaction i’ll get rid of this movie and everything entirely. Otherwise, you should be sure this video would be sent to all your contacts.


Sender is Avianna Upham

Thanks for replying

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From J on June 25, 2018 :: 9:32 pm


Yours looks similar to the one below that I received yesterday, mine even had my first and last name in it.

What was the email address you’rs came from?

Mine ended in “ habits.nll”
It was from a Joel Jacobson

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From RE on June 26, 2018 :: 7:16 am


This is the email address this came from.

Oscar Conors

Reply

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From Jonathan on June 26, 2018 :: 10:05 am


Did yours come from the same “habits.nl”?

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From Jonathan on June 25, 2018 :: 12:07 pm


I received this email yesterday and it’s freaking me out since it has my actual name in the email body.


Greetings J B

I really hope not to crush your heart or anythingwith this message and i am not here to blame your sick fantasies, although it will be kinda strange if someone from your contact list or family will witness u doing ur shit right in front of them. It’s your life and u choose but i will do mine.

All right, enough of this, recently you went to a website with porn with my ransomware, which I’m really proud of.

So i obtained all contact info from your computer and also I got an access to your webcam, so captured everything, and later edited this vid to one split-screen,  with the shit you was watching on one side of the screen and you having fun with your shit on the right. Do hope you’re paying attention on this one here

In any case, if you want me to completely remove this whole video. 550 amount in bucks will handle this matter with me.

1D6PuhhKm5qgYd637aXpVWYtTKGuJ5ePji

i take bitcoin.

ill give you 5 days notification is read, a really simple track tool will let me when this will happen.

I will forward this vid to all your contacts if i do not receive the pay. You are very welcome to call your local officers I’m from a totally other country and region, so u are welcome to do whatever you want. Do not reply to this mailbox, because i simply won’t be able to get anything from u.

Best Wishes.

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From Josh Kirschner on June 26, 2018 :: 9:11 am


There have bee so many hacks with names and email addresses, and so many ways to match a name with a email address, that having your name in there means almost nothing.

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From John on June 26, 2018 :: 1:10 pm


Josh, I don’t use ant PC products. What’s the chance these idiots hacked my iPad?  I was always under the impression that the iPad was pretty safe. I only download apps from the App Store. Thoughts? 

Thanks

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From Josh Kirschner on June 26, 2018 :: 4:31 pm


They didn’t hack your iPad or anything else. It’s the same scam.

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From NA on June 26, 2018 :: 4:19 pm


What\‘s up,


If u were more vigilant while caress yourself, I wouldn\‘t worry you. I don\‘t think that playing with yourself is extremely awful, but when all colleagues, relatives and friends get video record of it- it is awful for you.

I adjusted malisious soft on a web-site for adults (with porn) which you have visited. When the target click on a play button, device starts recording the screen and all cameras on ur device starts working.

Moreover, soft makes a dedicated desktop supplied with key logger function from ur system , so I could collect all contacts from your e-mail, messengers and other social networks. I\‘ve chosen this e-mail because It\‘s your working address, so u will read it.

In my opinion 320 usd is pretty enough for this little false. I made a split screen video(records from screen (u have interesting tastes ) and camera ooooooh… its funny AF)

So its ur choice, if u want me to delete ur disgrace use my bitcoin wallet addrеss- 16LBu5Bdp938G3xymt853ue7wh1AZk5ng
You have one day after opening my message, I put the special tracking pixel in it, so when you will open it I will see.If ya want me to show u the proofs, reply on this message and I will send my creation to five contacts that I\‘ve got from ur contacts.

P.S… You are able to complain to cops, but I don\‘t think that they can help, the investigation will last for one year- I\‘m from Estonia - so I dgf lmao

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From Geebee on June 26, 2018 :: 4:41 pm


I’ve researched the living hell out of these and I’ve yet to find anyone who has had anything exposed.. It’s all a scam. I did however find a few people that have paid. Don’t stress it out. I’ve had 3 emails hit me with similar stories and all amounted to nothing.. Don’t lose sleep over this.

Reply

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From Emily on June 27, 2018 :: 12:43 pm


Ticкet Details: OJQ-988-20267
Email: mr@mister.co.nz
Camera ready,Notification: 27.06.2018 02:39:37
Status: Waiting for Reply 25xuOaEy3A4f10wLnDmMkM9LrV4Ry18Iu1_Priority: Normal

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hi.


If u were more alert while playing with yourself, I wouldn\‘t write dis message. I don\‘t think that playing with yourself is extremely bad, but when all your friends, relatives, сolleagues get video of it- it is awful for you.

I adjusted malisious soft on a porn web-site which was visited by you. When the victim tap on a play button, device starts recording the screen and all cameras on ur device starts working.

Moreover, my virus makes a remote desktop supplied with key logger function from your device , so I could get all contacts from your e-mail, messengers and other social networks. I\‘m writing on dis e-mail cuz It\‘s your working address, so you should check it.

I suppose that 490 usd is pretty enough for this little misstep. I made a split screen vid(records from screen (u have interesting tastes ) and camera ohh… its funny AF)

So its ur choice, if u want me to destroy this сompromising evidence use my bitcоin wаllеt address-  1E4NGsYacgbMxbYbEcSn7fE9Tb3L5VCNwQ
You have one day after opening my message, I put the special tracking pixel in it, so when you will open it I will see.If ya want me to show u the proofs, reply on this message and I will send my creation to five contacts that I\‘ve got from ur device.

P.S.. You can try to complain to cops, but I don\‘t think that they can solve ur problem, the inquisition will last for one year- I\‘m from Estonia - so I dgf lmao

Reply

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From Thanks!!! on June 27, 2018 :: 5:28 pm


The email I just received had my full name (which is in my email), my home street address, and came from an Outlook email, which was probably fake, but still. They also talked about a Pixel tracker associated to the email. Scared me at first, thank you for the article!

Reply

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From CRF on June 28, 2018 :: 9:29 am


Good day Josh,

As all the comments I too received an email 2 days ago (through my wife email account) address to my full name and a mailing address of a location I use to live at 10 years ago.

Just like everyone else there is no photo or video attached and requesting $450 in BTC.

The scary part is that they used my full name and a very old address.

Should there be some sort of concern due the use of mailing address?

Thank you in advance.

Reply

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From supposed victim on June 28, 2018 :: 4:05 pm


Dear Josh,
I received the attached:

QUOTE
Subject: You will be ashamed _ CqKuYM pVEtrhtmB

Hello,  victim.
I text you because I put a virus on a web page with porn that you have visited.
When you visited that web-page you let the soft steal all your personal info and switched on your camera which captured the process of your masturbation. After that the soft saved your contact list.
I will not share this video and data if I receive 390 Euros in bitcoins.
Use this address to pay:  1KkcqF7sr7dsFYNMYaH6RhjjTAP6RZyjzP

You have 30 h after clicking on my message for making the transaction.
It is not necessary to tell me that you have sent money to me. This address was given only to you, my system will delete everything automatically after transfer verification.
You can get 48 hours only write back +.
You can complain to the cops but they cant help you.
I dont live in your country. So they can not trace my location even for 7 months.
Bye. Dont forget about the disgrace.
UNQUOTE
I am reassured by all the comments and your assurance that this is a hoax. That having been said, would you recommend blocking this sender?

Reply

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From Ole juhl Pedersen on June 29, 2018 :: 9:48 am


Hi.

Hope you actually will not mind my english language sentence structure, because i am from Saudi arabia. I contaminated your machine with a virus and im in possession of your private information out of your operating-system.

It was installed on a mature site after which you have selected the movie, clicked on it, my program quickly got into your os.

Afterward, your webcamera captured you wank, besides i captured a footage that you’ve looked at.

Immediately after a short while in addition, it picked up all your device contact info. If you ever wish me to wipe out your all that i currently have - transfer me 400 euros in bitcoin it is a cryptocurrency. This is my btc wallet address : 12KcxYFJSRHsdQLDNGKwmr6fneiSoLKCeG

Now you will have 26 hr s. to make a decision The moment i will get the transaction i’ll get rid of this movie and everything entirely. Otherwise, you should be sure this video would be sent to all your contacts.

Reply

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From Kevin Babcock on July 01, 2018 :: 11:22 pm


I just got a similar email using my name. Written with poor grammar, but it was 30 minutes after using a porn website it didn’t mention which one or anything but they sent a link to a YouTube video to show me how to send the Money to the bitcoin address they provided. I copied the link without clicking on it and it was Just the link to the YouTube homepage. Is this most likely take it said I have 5 days

Reply

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From Kevin Babcock on July 01, 2018 :: 11:25 pm


ey there kevin babcock

To tell the truth i do not care when ever u are pervert or not, but some of your family members or parents will most likely do, specially if you may get caught, that would definitely suk don”t you think that?

I”ll be as limited as possible. I made a program that”s starts capturing the actions via net cams and gathers all info from those devices too, for example individual files, contact date etc, as soon as someone goes to a specified mature web site. Beleive that you are following me on that one, you perhaps by now guessed exactly what type of a movie i at this point have starring you.

I chose to use the following e-mail address which was gathered from your contact list also, considering that it is ur job e-mail and you”ll most definately read it.

Ok last one, and a movie was edited btw, the way that i now have you on 1 part and a online video you have viewed on the second, all on one single tv screen. Very impressive huh? Okay lets minimize the crap, if u need me to delete this video clip, here is my Btc wallet address -

1L4ZHEXp2U3Frbr52GqFCdfGRm15GszNu9

(it has to be without any ”spaces” or ”=”, please be sure).
To learn how to use it, just yahoo or google or see a youtube.com online video, if do not already fully understand how to, really easy. 300 Dollars is how much i will need to quit annoying and to loose you footage completely.
There is a simple checking program linked to this notice so i will find out if you are going to check it. The moment that will happen you”ll be offered just 5 days to transfer me these funds.

I will share this movie with every single fucking email address from ur device if i”m not going to find my bucks within a period of time outlined above

Please think twice before humiliating your ass and contacting police officers or whoever, i promise they will not ever find me.

Best Regards man.

Reply

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From Kevin Babcock on July 01, 2018 :: 11:34 pm


How did they get my email?

Reply

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From Josh Kirschner on July 03, 2018 :: 1:54 pm


There have been so many data breaches over the years, it would almost be a surprise if they DIDN’T have your email address. To see the specific breach where your information may have been compromised, see our article on How to Tell if Your Accounts Have Been Hacked.

Reply

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From Lucy on July 05, 2018 :: 5:29 am


I received this email this morning. Sounds like from comments above it is a scam?

You don’t know me and you’re thinking why you received this e mail, right?
Well, I actually placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as a RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger which provided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.

What exactly did I do?

I made a split-screen video. First part recorded the video you were viewing (you’ve got a fine taste haha), and next part recorded your webcam (Yep! It’s you doing nasty things!).

What should you do?

Well, I believe, $300 is a fair price for our little secret. You’ll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

BTC Address: 1p8QM2HBHz1Ua5YajgMfttRPLhRtYwiGQ
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:

You have 24 hours in order to make the payment. (I have an unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don’t get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immidiately. If you want evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video recording to your 5 friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this email.

Reply

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From Lucy on July 05, 2018 :: 6:14 am


Still concerned dispite other comments above as it’s written in pretty good English…

Thoughts?

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From JOEL ROWLISON on July 09, 2018 :: 12:46 pm


Mine was exactly the same…asking for 1900.  Wtf

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From Anon on July 09, 2018 :: 2:36 pm


Received the same email around late morning. I deleted it as fast as it came through. Although usually I can delete and forget any type of spam emails or fraudulent emails this one did freak me out.
I may be guilty of watching a 4 minute video on the iPad but that was it. Don’t usually do this and thought it ironic that the one time I did I then get threatened with blackmail.
I too thought iPads / apple products were safe from viruses and malware.
Should I just forget about it or start warning my contacts?
Any updates from others that have already passed the 24 hour deadline to pay?

Reply

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From RM on July 09, 2018 :: 6:03 pm


I passed the 24-hour deadline about a day ago now, and nothing has happened. It’s just a scam, no worries.

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From Chuckie on September 27, 2018 :: 1:09 am


I got the same e-mail that you did, but my amount was $7,000! It took me all of about 10 sec to debunk it, because I use a large 4K monitor when I watch porn and he notebook lid (where the camera is mounted) is closed. What will they think of next?

Reply

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From Dave Ives on July 06, 2018 :: 7:54 am


You don’t know me and you’re thinking why you received this e mail, right?

Well, I actually placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as a RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger which provided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.

What exactly did I do?

I made a split-screen video. First part recorded the video you were viewing (you’ve got a fine taste haha), and next part recorded your webcam (Yep! It’s you doing nasty things!).

What should you do?

Well, I believe, $700 is a fair price for our little secret. You’ll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

BTC Address: 1Dvd7Wb72JBTbAcfTrxSJCZZuf4tsT8V72
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:

You have 24 hours in order to make the payment. (I have an unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don’t get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immidiately. If you want evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video recording to your 5 friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this email.

Reply

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From RM on July 07, 2018 :: 10:13 pm


Got the same one as you, but for $1900. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to Josh for the article!

Reply

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From Scott A on July 08, 2018 :: 1:21 am


My wife’s email just got the exact same one

“you don’t know me and you’re thinking why you received this e mail, right?

Well, I actually placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as a RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger which provided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.

What exactly did I do?

I made a split-screen video. First part recorded the video you were viewing (you’ve got a fine taste haha), and next part recorded your webcam (Yep! It’s you doing nasty things!).

What should you do?

Well, I believe, $1900 is a fair price for our little secret. You’ll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

BTC Address: 18AVxMK2KHimbrTJVEeUYM3LxLfD9RoR3o
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:

You have 24 hours in order to make the payment. (I have an unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don’t get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid (after payment, send an email to misszero@protonmail.com), I will erase the video immidiately. If you want evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video recording to your 5 friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this email.”

Said it was from Jacob Saunders and now he wants $1900.

Yikes! I am counting on this being a scam.

Reply

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From LV on July 08, 2018 :: 1:27 pm


I got that exact email too, but I know it’s spam because I have never accessed porn in my life! I had other, more poorly-worded ones which said they’d caught me watching child porn and threatening to go to the FBI unless I gave them money. Again, I haven’t, and I’m not based in the US so doubt the FBI would be interested in me anyway. It’s a scam, just report them.

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From Prefer not to say on July 08, 2018 :: 5:03 pm


I got this too but from ricardo mors

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From Prefer not to say on July 08, 2018 :: 4:57 pm


I received an email saying they have a split recording of myself and what I was watching on the same day. They mentioned bitcoin and that they have all my contacts information. They provided a link for me to click to see evidence. I never clicked. They asked for $1900 within 24 hours or they will send to all my contacts. The email came to my spam folder the email came with that persons first and last name which was ricardo mors. They said not to bother replying to the email address. I am worried. Could this be real?

Reply

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From Prefer not to say on July 08, 2018 :: 4:58 pm


The email also said the have pixels that detect when I have read there email

Reply

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From Prefer not to say on July 08, 2018 :: 5:02 pm


I got that exact email too but from a ricardo mors. I hope this is a scam

Reply

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From deidre the wondergibbon on July 09, 2018 :: 3:36 am


This whole ‘treat’ reminds me of “Shut Up And Dance”, the third episode of the third season of “Dark Mirror” on Netflix; or a scene for another movie on Netflix “iBoy”.

These guys have no imagination whatsoever- just a Netflix account.

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From George on July 10, 2018 :: 12:57 pm


This came to one of our staff who said that their son was using their work computer inappropriately. We think there’s nothing to worry about, right?

From: billing@20979.com
Subject: You installed my malware _ lfuKkV oBcDhHENQ

I give you 30 h after reading my letter for making the transaction.
It is not necessary to write me that you have sent money to me. This bitcoin wallet was connected to you, my system will delete everything automatically after transfer verification.
If you need 48 h only reply on this letter with +.
You can visit the police station but nobody will solve your problem.
I dont live in your country. So nobody can trace me even for 7 months.
All the best. Dont forget about the disgrace.

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From Josh Kirschner on July 10, 2018 :: 1:17 pm


The only thing you need to worry about is their son using the work computer inappropriately (assuming it really was their son…). Not that you should care what employees do in their private time, but porn sites are havens for various types of malware, which could compromise that laptop or lead to ransomware issues for your firm, if you don’t have proper anti-malware protection.

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From Mike on July 10, 2018 :: 8:38 pm


Hello. I got a very similar email:

Good morning,  prey.
You read this message because you are one of those people that downloaded my virus from the visited web page with porn.
At the moment you went on this site you let the malware steal all your private data and turned on your camera that captured the act of your masturbation. Then my soft saved your contact list.
I will delete the compromising video and info if you pay me 340 USD in bitcoins.
It is my bitcoin address to pay:  1FTscNgrqxX95bZ7p9JpAmxhHHsQs8jyM7

You have 30 h after reading this letter for making the payment.
It is not necessary to write me that you have sent money to me. This address was given only to you, everything will be deleted automatically after payment verification.
If you need 48 hours just write back +.
You can visit the police station but nobody will help you.
I dont live in your country. It means nobody can track my location even for 8 weeks.
Good luck. Think about the shame.

Am I safe too?

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From Mike on July 11, 2018 :: 10:04 am


Any insight on my post above so I can stop worrying?

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From Josh Kirschner on July 11, 2018 :: 11:38 am


Doesn’t sound any different than the other examples given.

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From Sam on July 10, 2018 :: 3:57 pm


Received a very similar email. Almost exactly word for word.  I was alerted several weeks ago by a newsletter site that they had been hacked and my account was included.  The email I received though did use a Facebook friend’s identity for the sender’s name and a Brazil extension for the email.

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From New Twist to this on July 10, 2018 :: 4:59 pm


Hey got this one which actually knew my password. I also got a warning of suspicious activity on a gaming website I haven’t used in ages 2 days before this email.. I changed the password of that site.

I know, (password), is your password. You do not know me and you are most likely thinking why you are getting this e mail, correct?

actually, I setup a malware on the adult vids (sexually graphic) site and do you know what, you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching video clips, your browser started out operating as a RDP (Remote control Desktop) having a keylogger which provided me access to your display screen and also web camera. Immediately after that, my software gathered your entire contacts from your Messenger, FB, and email.

What did I do?

I made a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you have a nice taste lmao), and next part displays the recording of your web cam.

exactly what should you do?

Well, in my opinion, $1900 is a reasonable price tag for our little secret. You will make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

BTC Address: 1JHwenDp9A98XdjfYkHKyiE3R99Q72K9X4
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)

Important:

You have one day in order to make the payment. (I have a unique pixel within this mail, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email). If I don’t get the BitCoins, I definitely will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, co-workers, and many others. Nevertheless, if I do get paid, I’ll destroy the video immidiately. If you need evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will certainly send your video recording to your 7 contacts. It’s a non-negotiable offer, and so please do not waste my personal time and yours by responding to this email.

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From KR on July 10, 2018 :: 5:44 pm


Mine had a password that I had used a few years in the past.  Someone likely had a data breach and the names/passwords were purchased on the dark web.

$1,900 was the asking price on mine…almost identical verbage to yours.

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From KR on July 10, 2018 :: 5:46 pm


...in addition, I may or may not have visited an adult site, but if I did, I’m pretty sure my camera was covered grin

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From Tom on July 10, 2018 :: 9:46 pm


That’s the exact same email I received. When I seen the password they had for me I busted out laughing because like said in my prior post, I hadn’t used it in like 7 years.

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From Mike on July 10, 2018 :: 5:36 pm


Freaked me out:

Good morning,  prey.
You read this message because you are one of those people that downloaded my virus from the visited web page with porn.
At the moment you went on this site you let the malware steal all your private data and turned on your camera that captured the act of your masturbation. Then my soft saved your contact list.
I will delete the compromising video and info if you pay me 340 USD in bitcoins.
It is my bitcoin address to pay:  1FTscNgrqxX95bZ7p9JpAmxhHHsQs8jyM7

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From Tom on July 10, 2018 :: 6:00 pm


I received one of these emails today.

In the opening of the email though, they did mention a password I have used, however I have not used the mentioned password in roughly 7 years. I was one of a few million who’s information was exposed with sites like linkedin etc. I now change passwords all the time.

The message also mentions the webcam, LMAO I am one of the few people who actually does not have a webcam attached to my computer, don’t even have a built-in one.

Most of the time I scan the emails and then mark them spam so that I dob’t see them anymore, however this one made me laugh.

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From Mike on July 10, 2018 :: 6:03 pm


I pretty much only use my IPad, and as far as I know it’s almost impossible to create malware that can take over those cameras, and if they did, why only 300 dollar?

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