July 12, 2018

Here’s a clever new twist on an old email scam that could serve to make the con far more believable. The message purports to have been sent from a hacker who’s compromised your computer and used your webcam to record a video of you while you were watching porn. The missive threatens to release the video to all your contacts unless you pay a Bitcoin ransom. The new twist? The email now references a real password previously tied to the recipient’s email address.

The basic elements of this sextortion scam email have been around for some time, and usually the only thing that changes with this particular message is the Bitcoin address that frightened targets can use to pay the amount demanded. But this one begins with an unusual opening salvo:

“I’m aware that <substitute password formerly used by recipient here> is your password,” reads the salutation.

The rest is formulaic:

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, $1400 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.

KrebsOnSecurity heard from three different readers who received a similar email in the past 72 hours. In every case, the recipients said the password referenced in the email’s opening sentence was in fact a password they had previously used at an account online that was tied to their email address.

However, all three recipients said the password was close to ten years old, and that none of the passwords cited in the sextortion email they received had been used anytime on their current computers.

It is likely that this improved sextortion attempt is at least semi-automated: My guess is that the perpetrator has created some kind of script that draws directly from the usernames and passwords from a given data breach at a popular Web site that happened more than a decade ago, and that every victim who had their password compromised as part of that breach is getting this same email at the address used to sign up at that hacked Web site.

I suspect that as this scam gets refined even more, perpetrators will begin using more recent and relevant passwords — and perhaps other personal data that can be found online — to convince people that the hacking threat is real. That’s because there are a number of shady password lookup services online that index billions of usernames (i.e. email addresses) and passwords stolen in some of the biggest data breaches to date.

Alternatively, an industrious scammer could simply execute this scheme using a customer database from a freshly hacked Web site, emailing all users of that hacked site with a similar message and a current, working password. Tech support scammers also may begin latching onto this method as well.

Sextortion — even semi-automated scams like this one with no actual physical leverage to backstop the extortion demand — is a serious crime that can lead to devastating consequences for victims. Sextortion occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them with images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money.

According to the FBI, here are some things you can do to avoid becoming a victim:

-Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are — or who they say they are.
-Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know, and in general be wary of opening attachments even from those you do know.
-Turn off [and/or cover] any web cameras when you are not using them.

The FBI says in many sextortion cases, the perpetrator is an adult pretending to be a teenager, and you are just one of the many victims being targeted by the same person. If you believe you’re a victim of sextortion, or know someone else who is, the FBI wants to hear from you: Contact your local FBI office (or toll-free at 1-800-CALL-FBI).


1,076 thoughts on “Sextortion Scam Uses Recipient’s Hacked Passwords

  1. Leila

    Got the same exact email as everyone else only they asked for $2000. I have never logged into porn let alone watched it. They threatened to send it to 9 contacts. Just what exactly are they gonna send??? I don’t have a webcam!!! So no image of me to blackmail me with. I only use my mobile device. No web cam!

    1. awr

      mobile device does of course have a ‘webcam’ built into it for FaceTime or equivalent, but they are nearly impossible to ‘take over’ with malware so it’s bogus.

    2. Maria

      Don’t worry, they’ll send nothing to nobody.
      I also received a similar letter. I live in Russian North, I don’t even have a FB account or Messenger. If they really were “genius hackers” I guess they would know this.

  2. Mark Allyn

    I got one of these as well. Old password from years ago. But I don’t remember what systems I used it on.

    I know not to pay up. But, is it worthwhile to report it to someone?

    My hometown (Bellingham, Washington) police; is it even worth considering them (obvious that this is not a 911 call situation), but if I wait until Monday to report to their business office, what can they due. We are a small town and I don’t know if they even have anyone who handles stuff like this?

    Do I go to the FBI? All I have is the email and its headers but nothing else. I cannot remember what sites I used years ago with the password. Also, would the FBI even be interested in something like this (since I am not a victim as I have not paid the guy anything and I don’t even have a webcam.

    Or do I complain to outlook.com (where all of the pointers are pointing to). In fact, coincidentally, I have a friend who retired from Microsoft (and from a senior position). Would it be worthwhile to let him know and he could try to work things from the inside?

    Or shall I just simply delete the email and move on with life??

    Thank you
    Mark Allyn
    Bellingham, Washington

    1. ANetliner

      A lot of people, myself included, have reported to FBI. If you still want to report to them: https://www.ic3.gov.

      I think it would be great to advise Outlook, as their domain name is being used. Your idea of working through your MicroSoft contact sounds great.

      1. DaveBB

        Got the email from outlook also. They can help with any law enforcement investigation as they can provide source IPs of who connected to them. Mine was for 7000. Funny, the address used in the scam was one that is still usable, but hasn’t been used in any services for 11 years and the password was one of my ‘garbage’ passwords where I NEED to supply a password on a site that is weak security (no encryption, temp site for me, etc).
        I will more than likely submit to IC3 with the headers so maybe it can be linked with someone who has fallen victim to this scam by matching BTC addresses.
        When I do my own forensic work, I like having as many details and logs as possible in troubleshooting a problem or tracking a crime originating from my network.

  3. James

    I got a similar one from what seems to be a legit email address at outlook.com

    The password was one I’ve not used for years.

    Asking for $4000

    Poor command of english language

  4. Adi

    I got a very similar mail and the bitcoin address is
    14UWQRK5vF8FgdvazsM7jXvoyJCzGqFdLT

    The password looks legit since sometime I use this as part of my password for non-commercial sites but I couldn’t find the related site so it might be old.

  5. Joel

    $10 000 – I guess I’m worth it hey ? hahahaha

    1. Mark

      It goes up depending on how funky your porn preference is. $10,000? I want to party with you man.

  6. Annie

    I received two at my work email! Yikes. I freaked out bc I found out a LONG time ago my now ex husband was looking at porn. I checked out a couple web sites and my mouth dropped open. So if they send the video of me, I believe my face will show shock and dismay as I realized what my ex was doing. The first email demanded $3500 while the second demanded $7000. I did deactivate my FB and Linked In accounts. I am also working on deleting my yahoo email account. I am freaked out since it went to my work email. Again it is a VERY old password with only 6 digits so reall have not used in years. I’m still a bit uneasy since I did check out a few links he had been visiting. Thoughts?

    1. JJ

      Don’t worry- the threat is totally fake. Just random jackassery hoping to reel in a few suckers.

  7. Gail

    I got 2 of these. But they only asked for $1,900 in one and $2,200 in the other and they used different names. I’ve not viewed porn and my webcam is physically covered.

  8. Laks

    Yes I got it too, same story .. i kow what you did and pay by bitcoins .. yes my password mentioned was 10 years old

  9. JI

    I too got this one, they asked for 2,000. Based on the responses here if only 1% of the people respond and pay these thieves will have a great week.

    1. Amelia

      Oh no, the poor thing. I feel so horrible for them. I wish more was possible when it comes to tracing online scams. 🙁

    2. JJ

      Noooooo!!! Giving these jerks money just means that they will keep spamming us with nonsense and keep paying for hacked passwords. How does somebody this dumb even have that kind of money anyway?!?

      Yes, I also got this email a couple days ago. It would be nice to figure out what website the password and email came from but its from a very old breach that may be impossible 🙁

  10. Mike

    Thanks for posting this, I got one of these scam emails today.

  11. wally

    99% of the comments say exactly the same thing, got the same email today. if you don’t have anything to bring to the discussion then why comment??

  12. wally

    as for krebsonsecurity, what do you offer readers other than stating the obvious.

    1. BrianKrebs Post author

      Actually, the readers pasting the entire message they received is useful because it helps us gain an understanding of how much the crooks are making from these scams. Just from the BTC addresses posted by readers here, we can see that those addresses received almost $80,000 in Bitcoin over the last ten days. That’s pretty incredible.

      1. Jasmin

        Got one on July 17. Sender “Norris Frosthawes”. Read:

        This is your badluck. I’m aware [old password] is your password. Most importantly, I do know about your secret and I’ve proof of your secret. You don’t know me personally and no one employed me to investigate you.

        It is just your misfortune that I stumbled across your blunder. Well, I placed a malware on the adult vids (pornographic material) and you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching video clips, your internet browser started out working as a Rdp (Remote control desktop) that has a key logger which provided me access to your screen and cam. Right after that, my software obtained all of your contacts from fb, as well as mailbox.

        Next, I gave in more hours than I probably should’ve looking into your life and generated a two view video. First part displays the video you had been watching and 2nd part shows the view from your cam (its you doing inappropriate things).

        Frankly, I am willing to forget exactly about you and allow you to get on with your daily life. And I am about to present you 2 options that can make it happen. The above choices are either to ignore this letter, or perhaps pay me $ 1900. Let us explore above two options in more detail.

        First Option is to ignore this email. Let us see what is going to happen if you choose this option. I will, no doubt send out your video to your entire contacts including members of your family, co-workers, etc. It doesn’t protect you from the humiliation you and your family will face when relatives and buddies discover your sordid videos from me.

        Other Option is to pay me $ 1900. We will call this my “confidentiality charges”. Now lets see what happens if you opt this option. Your secret will remain your secret. I’ll destroy the video immediately. You go on with your routine life as if none of this ever happened.

        Now you may be thinking, “Let me call cops”. Let me tell you, I’ve covered my steps to ensure that this message can’t be traced time for me plus it won’t prevent the evidence from destroying your lifetime. I am not seeking to dig a hole in your pocket. I am just looking to be compensated for the time I place into investigating you. Let’s assume you have chosen to generate pretty much everything vanish entirely and pay me the confidentiality fee. You’ll make the payment through Bitcoins (if you don’t know how, type “how to buy bitcoins” in search engine)

        Amount to be paid: $ 1900
        Send To This Bitcoin Address: 1ycRDEbXCD1nXXoEz8pfQJjDbZSALvH29
        (It’s case sensitive, so copy and paste it)

        Tell no one what you would be using the bitcoin for or they might not give it to you. The process to acquire bitcoin will take a few days so do not put it off.
        I’ve a unique pixel in this mail, and at this moment I know that you’ve read through this email message. You have one day in order to make the payment. If I do not receive the Bitcoins, I will definitely send out your video recording to your contacts including close relatives, co-workers, and many others. You better come up with an excuse for friends and family before they find out. However, if I do get paid, I will erase the proof and all other proofs immediately. It is a non negotiable offer, so kindly do not ruin my time & yours. Your time is running out.

      2. Jose Irizarry

        Here is another bitcoin address, I can’t believe the perpetrators have already made 80K.
        1J2fWtzksRrPUUeHgGqJcYjTeN62nqJAHP

      3. M

        BTC Address to send to: 188FYDRaeHVvrYFiwzm9F7Lacgub93XfNz

        1. Gary

          A friend got this scam today. The BTC address used was:

          1HsvKuMKQnNG5UNdVr438fsVaB2WmHZnWw

          in case it gets reused and someone googles it like I did. Thankfully nobody has paid anything to it (yet).

  13. Link

    Got mine today. The subject was my account and an old passwor. I don’t watch porn. I think it’s one of those attempts to enter a web and try differnt accounts and passwords. Mr. Blake Resch at njzcelloevp@outlook.com says:

    Lets get right to the purpose. Not one person has paid me to check about you. You don’t know me and you’re most likely thinking why you are getting this e mail?

    Let me tell you, I actually installed a malware on the X videos (porno) site and guess what, you visited this web site to experience fun (you know what I mean). While you were viewing videos, your browser started out working as a RDP that has a keylogger which provided me with accessibility to your display as well as webcam. after that, my software program collected all your contacts from your Messenger, social networks, as well as e-mailaccount. Next I made a double video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you have a good taste : )), and next part displays the view of your web cam, yeah its u.

    You got two different options. Why dont we study each of these choices in details:

    1st choice is to skip this email. In such a case, I most certainly will send your tape to each one of your personal contacts and then consider concerning the disgrace that you receive. Keep in mind if you are in an important relationship, precisely how it would affect?

    Second option is to compensate me $1000. I will regard it as a donation. In this case, I most certainly will instantaneously erase your video footage. You can go on with your life like this never happened and you will not hear back again from me.

    You’ll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for “how to buy bitcoin” in Google search engine).

    BTC Address: 18MTrabHPtG2ZSpSkotJPJaxsqYyoWfynu
    [CASE sensitive, copy & paste it]

    If you may be thinking of going to the cop, well, this e mail can not be traced back to me. I have taken care of my steps. I am just not looking to ask you for a whole lot, I wish to be paid. I’ve a unique pixel within this mail, and at this moment I know that you have read this mail. You have one day to pay. If I don’t get the BitCoins, I will definitely send out your video to all of your contacts including members of your family, colleagues, and many others. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will destroy the video right away. If you want to have proof, reply with Yup! & I definitely will send out your video to your 15 contacts. It’s a nonnegotiable offer and thus don’t waste my personal time & yours by replying to this e mail.

    1. Martin

      I got almost the same email yesterday from “bwclayuy@hotmail.com”:

      I’m going to cut to the chase. I’m aware xyz is your password. Most importantly, I’m aware about your secret and I’ve evidence of your secret. You don’t know me and nobody hired me to investigate you.

      It’s just your bad luck that I found your misadventures. Let me tell you, I actually setup a malware on the adult videos (porn) and you visited this web site to experience fun (you know what I mean). When you were watching videos, your web browser began working as a Rdp (Remote desktop) that has a keylogger which provided me access to your screen and also web camera. Just after that, my software collected every one of your contacts from messenger, fb, as well as mailbox.

      After that I gave in more hours than I should have exploring into your life and made a double screen video. First part displays the video you were viewing and other part displays the view of your webcam (its you doing nasty things).

      Honestly, I want to forget all information about you and let you move on with your daily life. And I am about to give you 2 options which will achieve that. The above options are with the idea to ignore this letter, or simply pay me $ 3250. Let’s examine above 2 options in more details.

      Option One is to ignore this e-mail. Let me tell you what will happen if you pick this option. I will definately send your video to all of your contacts including members of your family, co-workers, and so on. It will not help you avoid the humiliation your self will face when friends learn your dirty videos from me.

      Other Option is to send me $ 3250. We will name it my “confidentiality fee”. Let me tell you what happens if you opt this choice. Your secret will remain your secret. I’ll erase the recording immediately. You keep your routine life as though nothing ever occurred.

      At this point you may be thinking, “I’m going to report to the cops”. Without a doubt, I’ve covered my steps to ensure that this message cannot be traced back to me plus it will not stop the evidence from destroying your life. I am not trying to dig a hole in your pocket. I am just looking to be compensated for time I placed into investigating you. Let’s hope you’ve decided to make all of this disappear and pay me the confidentiality fee. You will make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know how, search “how to buy bitcoins” in google search)

      Required Amount: $ 3250
      Bitcoin Address to Send: 1G*2rRFctp9yPqf4M5A5sgTmwK2ukQKNeUi (Remove * from this string and copy and paste it)

      Share with no one what you would be utilizing the Bitcoins for or they will often not offer it to you. The task to acquire bitcoins may take a short time so do not put it off.
      I have a specific pixel in this mail, and right now I know that you have read this mail. You now have two days to make the payment. If I do not get the BitCoins, I will definately send out your video recording to all your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, etc. You better come up with an excuse for friends and family before they find out. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will destroy the recording immediately. It is a non negotiable one time offer, so kindly do not ruin my time & yours. Your time is running out. You should be aware that my tracker will be tracking the actions you’re taking after you’re done reading this letter. Honestly, If you try to act smart then let me send out your video to your relatives, colleagues before time ends.

  14. Jim

    Well damn! This must be legit…they only asked for $1000 from me because they know that if they ask for any more, I would KNOW it is a scam!! LOL

  15. Warren G

    I replied, informing the person that it is illegal to use such copyrighted material (i.e. the porn) in his split-screen video for profit, and that the FBI would be busting down his door very soon.

  16. Babov

    I got this one with:
    1HH79G9DqFscMpfZs1uPzNNw3bQwdcNvZN

      1. Damian

        Looks like three seperate payments to that address now, adding up to over 1BTC (> $8000). Poor suckers. I got my scam with 1NGiHMw9j4fzzVyS8YG1bLVXQmi4PS

  17. Victor Schoenbach

    Brian, what I don’t understand is that I thought that websites like FB keep passwords in hash form so that they cannot be decoded, only verified. But the scammer did have my FB password. For your database, here is the full message. Thank you for your helpful webpage.
    __________

    Sat 7/21/2018 10:10 AM

    Kimmie Kronecker

    I am aware konkurrenC$3 is your password. Lets get straight to the purpose. No one has paid me to investigate you. You do not know me and you’re probably thinking why you are getting this e-mail?

    actually, I installed a software on the 18+ video clips (porn material) web-site and there’s more, you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were viewing videos, your browser started operating as a RDP with a key logger which gave me access to your screen as well as web cam. after that, my software obtained your complete contacts from your Messenger, FB, as well as e-mail . Next I created a double video. First part displays the video you were viewing (you have a fine taste lmao), and next part displays the view of your web cam, yea its you.

    You got only 2 alternatives. We should take a look at each of these possibilities in particulars:

    1st option is to skip this e mail. Then, I am going to send your very own video to all your your personal contacts and think about the humiliation you will definitely get. And likewise if you happen to be in an important relationship, just how it can affect?

    Number 2 choice would be to pay me $1000. We are going to call it a donation. In this case, I will straight away eliminate your video. You will continue on with daily life like this never occurred and you surely will never hear back again from me.

    You’ll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

    BTC Address to send to: 1BEYjAtRLgXD4Sq1oiJfRWkbDfHne5xkqu
    [case sensitive copy and paste it]

    In case you are looking at going to the law enforcement officials, look, this e mail cannot be traced back to me. I have covered my moves. I am not looking to ask you for money a whole lot, I only want to be rewarded. You have one day in order to pay. I have a unique pixel in this e-mail, and now I know that you have read this e-mail. If I don’t receive the BitCoins, I will certainly send out your video recording to all of your contacts including close relatives, colleagues, and so on. Having said that, if I receive the payment, I’ll destroy the recording right away. If you want proof, reply Yeah! then I definitely will send out your video recording to your 5 contacts. This is a non:negotiable offer, that being said please do not waste mine time and yours by responding to this mail.

    1. victor

      Passwords can be reversed by trying all possible variations aka brute forcing.
      You just posted your password so change it if you still use it.

    2. Nicolas Andersen

      The same email, sended by Corrina Gallucio
      I know …. is your passphrase. Lets get straight to the purpose. You do not know me and you’re most likely wondering why you’re getting this email? None has paid me to investigate you.

      In fact, I setup a software on the 18+ streaming (pornographic material) web site and you know what, you visited this web site to experience fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your web browser started operating as a Remote Desktop that has a keylogger which gave me accessibility to your screen and web camera. after that, my software program gathered all of your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, as well as email . After that I created a video. 1st part displays the video you were watching (you’ve got a good taste hehe), and 2nd part displays the recording of your web camera, yea it is you.

      You got two different possibilities. Why dont we check out the choices in particulars:

      1st alternative is to skip this message. Then, I most certainly will send your video to each of your your contacts and also just think concerning the awkwardness that you receive. And likewise should you be in a romance, just how it is going to affect?

      Second solution is to compensate me $7000. Let us think of it as a donation. As a consequence, I most certainly will promptly erase your video. You could continue on your way of life like this never occurred and you will never hear back again from me.

      You’ll make the payment through Bitcoin (if you don’t know this, search for “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

      BTC Address to send to: 1AvGH3uSuoEsPBRUprZ65LpCP4ucSWA7fW
      [case-sensitive so copy and paste it]

      In case you are thinking of going to the cops, okay, this email message cannot be traced back to me. I have covered my actions. I am just not looking to demand very much, I only want to be paid for. You have one day to make the payment. I’ve a special pixel in this email, and now I know that you have read through this message. If I don’t receive the BitCoins, I will certainly send out your video to all of your contacts including family members, colleagues, etc. Nonetheless, if I receive the payment, I’ll erase the recording immediately. This is a non-negotiable offer, and so do not waste my personal time & yours by responding to this message. If you want proof, reply Yes & I definitely will send out your video recording to your 5 contacts.

  18. JJ

    In case it helps, the email sent to me:

    Douglass Gottlieb
    Thu 7/19, 12:41 AM
    I will cut to the chase. I know that ****** is your password. More importantly, I know your secret and I have proof of it. You don’t know me and nobody paid me to examine you.

    It is just your misfortune that I discovered your misadventures. The truth is, I actually installed a malware on the adult vids (pornographic material) and you visited this site to experience fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your browser began working as a Rdp (Remote desktop) that has a key logger which provided me accessibility to your screen and also web camera. Just after that, my software collected your entire contacts from your messenger, facebook, as well as e-mail.

    After that I put in much more hours than I probably should’ve investigating into your life and generated a double screen video. 1st part shows the recording you had been watching and second part displays the recording from your webcam (its you doing nasty things).

    Frankly, I am ready to forget all about you and let you continue with your life. And I am about to provide you two options that can accomplish this. These two choices are to either ignore this letter, or simply pay me $ 2200. Let’s understand above two options in more detail.

    Option One is to ignore this e-mail. Let me tell you what will happen if you take this option. I will send your video recording to your contacts including friends and family, coworkers, and so on. It doesn’t save you from the humiliation your household will have to face when friends uncover your sordid details from me.

    Second Option is to make the payment of $ 2200. We’ll name it my “privacy charges”. Here is what happens if you choose this option. Your secret will remain your secret. I will delete the video immediately. You go on with your lifetime as though nothing like this ever happened.

    Now you may be thinking, “Let me call cops”. Without a doubt, I’ve taken steps to ensure that this mail can’t be tracked returning to me plus it will not stop the evidence from destroying your life. I’m not planning to dig a hole in your pocket. I just want to get paid for time I put into investigating you. Let’s assume you have chosen to generate this all disappear completely and pay me the confidentiality fee. You will make the payment by Bitcoin (if you don’t know this, type “how to buy bitcoins” on google)

    Amount to be sent: $ 2200
    Receiving Bitcoin Address: 19QjTkcye973xYPzSCXHu1oYg8Vad3vy1W
    (It is CASE sensitive, so you should copy and paste it)

    Tell no-one what will you be utilizing the Bitcoins for or they might not sell it to you. The task to obtain bitcoin will take a few days so do not wait.
    I have a special pixel within this e mail, and right now I know that you’ve read through this email message. You now have 48 hours to make the payment. If I do not get the Bitcoin, I will, no doubt send out your video recording to all of your contacts including close relatives, colleagues, etc. You better come up with an excuse for friends and family before they find out. Nevertheless, if I receive the payment, I will erase the proof immediately. It is a non-negotiable offer, so kindly don’t ruin my time & yours. Your time is running out.

  19. Roger Will

    Got same demand for password I have used but not recently.

  20. JJ

    Checked LinkedIn (a site I haven’t been on in many years)- sure enough, same address and password as in the email.

    1. awr

      oh; and they must be having a low success rate with the high prices; they had only $1000 demand for me.

  21. lux

    Here is the email I got. I have never looked at porn sites. Would like to respond with an off you but thought it best to delete with no response.

    —–Original Message—–
    From: “Arthur Soule”
    Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2018 1:06pm
    To:
    Subject:

    xxxxxxxx is your password. Lets get directly to the point. You do not know me and you are probably wondering why you’re getting this email? No one has compensated me to check about you.

    Let me tell you, I actually setup a software on the xxx streaming (pornographic material) website and there’s more, you visited this website to experience fun (you know what I mean). While you were viewing videos, your internet browser started operating as a RDP that has a key logger which gave me accessibility to your display and web camera. Immediately after that, my software obtained your complete contacts from your Messenger, social networks, as well as emailaccount. Next I made a double video. First part shows the video you were watching (you’ve got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the view of your web camera, and its u.

    You will have two different choices. Let us look at each one of these choices in particulars:

    First option is to neglect this email. As a result, I will send out your very own video to each of your your personal contacts and thus visualize about the disgrace you will definitely get. Do not forget should you be in a relationship, just how this will affect?

    Other solution should be to give me $1000. We are going to name it as a donation. In such a case, I will straight away delete your video footage. You will carry on with your daily life like this never took place and you never will hear back again from me.

    You’ll make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

    BTC Address: 12Ryyshger6ANPerpeqYQJ7jM86ZF9V7eF
    [CASE-SENSITIVE copy and paste it]

    If you may be wondering about going to the cop, look, this mail can not be traced back to me. I have covered my moves. I am also not attempting to charge you so much, I simply prefer to be compensated. You have one day to pay. I’ve a specific pixel within this message, and at this moment I know that you have read through this e mail. If I do not receive the BitCoins, I will certainly send your video recording to all of your contacts including family members, colleagues, and so on. Nevertheless, if I receive the payment, I’ll erase the recording right away. It is a non-negotiable offer, thus don’t waste my personal time and yours by replying to this e mail. If you need proof, reply with Yea! then I definitely will send your video to your 8 friends.

  22. Reader

    I haven’t received an extortion email at any of several addresses.

    Maybe the extortionist knows that my only experience with obscenity involved a mango, a typewriter, three socks, and an emu, 62 years ago.

    And I’ve never had Facebook.

  23. magnum

    Yep, just received the same email, I posted the whole thing below…..nice try scumbags.

    Let me get straight to the point. Isn’t ****** your secret pass? You don’t know me and nobody paid me to investigate you.

    ********* It is just your hard luck that I found your blunder. Let me tell you, I installed malware on porn video clips (porno) & you viewed this hacked web site to experience pleasure (you get my drift). While you were busy watching videos, your web browser started out operating as a RDP (Remote Control Desktop) that has a keylogger which allowed me accessibility to your screen and webcam. After that, my software gathered all of your photos, data and contacts from your fb, and mailbox.

    I then gave in more time than I should have looking into your life and made a double display video. 1st part displays the video you had been viewing and second part shows the recording from your webcam (its you doing nasty things).

    Frankly, I am ready to forget all about you and let you move on with your regular life. And my goal is to present you (a way out|two options} that can achieve it. These two choices are either to turn a deaf ear to this message (Bad for you and your family), or perhaps pay me $1700. Let us explore these 2 options in details.

    *Not Recommended* First Option is to disregard this e mail. You should know what is going to happen if you take this option. I will send out your video recording to all your contacts including relatives, colleagues, and so on. It will not shield you from the humiliation your self will face when relatives and buddies uncover your sordid videos .
    *Recommended* Other Option is to make the payment of $1700. We’ll name it my “privacy charges”. let me tell you what will happen if you opt this option. Your secret Will remain your secret. I will delete the recording. After you you pay me my fees, You can freely keep your routine life and family as if none of this ever occurred.

    Let us assume you have decided to make all this go away and send me the fees. You will make the payment by Bitcoins (if you do not know how, search “how to buy bitcoins” on search engine)
    Bitcoin Address to Send to: 19ViTgyXdnEkpch3kaM2rQwMM2LurxNsEo
    Required Payment: $1700

    I understand, now you may be contemplating, “I should call the cops”. Without a doubt, I have covered my steps to ensure this email cannot be tracked time for me and it won’t stop the evidence from destroying your health. I’m not looking to dig a hole in your pocket. I am just looking to be compensated for the time I put in exploring you.

    You should not tell no person what you would be transferring the bitcoin for or they possibly will not provide it to you. The process to get bitcoin will take a couple of days so do not procrastinate.

    I’ve a unique pixel in this email, and at this moment I know that you have read through this e-mail. You now have 1 day to make the payment. If I don’t get the Bitcoin, I will, no doubt send out your video to all of your contacts including family members, coworkers, and so on. You better come up with an excuse for friends and family before they find out. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I’ll destroy the all the files immediately. It is a non-negotiable one time offer, thus don’t waste my time.

  24. Hans Wurst

    Thanks for the writeup! Got the same mail with reference to BitCoin wallet 1EccPfu1ZLoLjKSk2StFsW17FndFHZbqRt, demanding 1000 USD.

  25. Reader

    I received the same email today and was surprised to see so many others had received the same basic email.
    One comment and one question.
    Comment; In trying to think where they may have found my password and email address, I remembered a couple months back my Facebook account was hacked. I was lockedout and when I entered my password so that Facebook would send a new password to get me back in, I discovered it was sent to someone else’s email address, not mine. From that moment on I was locked out permanently and yes, this is the password they had. Facebook simply had me sign up again but gave no explanation of how this was accomplished and would not defeat my previous site. My question is, did this happen to anyone else?

  26. Burt Cohen

    Merola Shearer
    1:34 PM (15 minutes ago)
    to : personal email
    Lets get directly to purpose. Not a single person has compensated me to investigate about you. You don’t know me and you are most likely thinking why you are getting this e-mail?

    Well, I installed a malware on the xxx streaming (sexually graphic) web-site and guess what, you visited this website to experience fun (you know what I mean). When you were watching video clips, your browser started out functioning as a RDP with a keylogger which provided me access to your display and web camera. Right after that, my software obtained your entire contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, and e-mailaccount. And then I made a double video. 1st part displays the video you were watching (you’ve got a good taste lmao), and second part shows the recording of your web camera, yeah it is u.

    You get 2 alternatives. Shall we review these types of possibilities in aspects:

    1st option is to dismiss this e mail. Consequently, I am going to send your videotape to all of your contacts and you can easily imagine concerning the embarrassment you will see. Not to mention if you happen to be in an intimate relationship, exactly how it will eventually affect?

    2nd option is to compensate me $1000. We are going to describe it as a donation. Then, I will asap remove your video footage. You will keep on going your life like this never occurred and you never will hear back again from me.

    You will make the payment by Bitcoin (if you don’t know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

    BTC Address to send to: 1D4SDjSVuvwd95RRFgS3Lde9QzkETaSBfm
    [case SENSITIVE, copy & paste it]

    Should you are thinking of going to the law enforcement, well, this email cannot be traced back to me. I have dealt with my actions. I am also not looking to charge a fee much, I would like to be compensated. You now have one day in order to pay. I’ve a specific pixel within this email, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message. If I do not receive the BitCoins, I will send out your video to all of your contacts including close relatives, colleagues, and so forth. Nevertheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immediately. If you want evidence, reply Yes then I will certainly send your video to your 7 contacts. It is a non-negotiable offer, therefore please don’t waste my time and yours by responding to this email message.

    1. Roberto Menelau

      Received a very similar email with Bitcoin account 1QE27yxNRjFCFuzMVEMqX2G4pnk3krEtyf.

Comments are closed.