Warning: blackmail emails, the latest fraud scheme

The scheme involves that the sender says that they have installed malicious software on your computer to access your Facebook and webcam passwords, among other things. The email often contains one of your passwords.

They also claim to have filmed you with your webcam when you visited pornographic websites. If you do not pay them a certain amount in Bitcoins very quickly, they threaten to send the videos to your contacts.

“The fact that they have your email address and passwords is misleading and can make the email feel more credible than other types of fraudulent emails. But they have probably come across stolen passwords and email addresses at another website. In regard to the videos, we think it is unlikely that they exist at all. Many of those who have received the email do not have a webcam,” states Jan Olsson.

Difficult to trace the blackmailers

The police has received many fraud reports. It is impossible to know the exact amount of affected people since there are always those who pay the senders and do not report it to the police. This crime is also tricky to investigate.

“It is very difficult for the police to find the receiver. Bitcoin transactions are anonymous, and when we trace them, we can only see a “wallet” that consists of rows of letters and numbers. Identifying the owner is difficult. What we can do is warn the public to not pay the amount. Beside the fact that you unnecessarily lose your money, you also encourage international crime,” concludes Olsson.

Do the following:

• Do not pay them!
• Do not answer the email.
• Change your passwords. Use two-factor authentication if possible.
• Cover your webcam when you are not using it, for example with tape.
• Report it to the police.