Police warn about extortion email scam with victims handing over $1900 worth of bitcoin

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Waitemata police are warning members of the public about an extortion email scam.

Victims have paid scammers after being told their computer has been hacked and they’ve been looking at pornographic websites, police have warned.

Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill said Waitemata police are investigating a number of recent reports of an email extortion scam.

“Unfortunately some of the victims have been so concerned that a video of themselves would be leaked that they have paid money to the scammers.”

Supplied/NZ Police

Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill

The scammers send an email to victims telling them their computer has been hacked and a video has been taken through their webcam showing that they’ve looked at pornographic websites.

The scammers then threaten to send the video to family and friends of the victim unless they are paid $1900 worth of bitcoin, police said. 

Police said the scammers have also claimed to know the victims’ passwords, and in some cases have listed passwords the victims have used in the past. 

Those passwords have been obtained through previously leaked online data. 

Police are warning anyone who receives an email of this nature to immediately delete the email.

McNeil also reminded people to change passwords regularly and it is particularly important to change passwords if it’s been listed by a scammer in an email. 

“We ask anyone who believes they are a victim of this scam and has transferred money to contact Police by phoning 105.”

Stuff

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