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The FTC uses the information it gets from people who report scams to keep close watch on trends, so we can alert you to changes. Here’s one: reports of Bitcoin blackmail scams have taken a big jump in the last few weeks. The emails say they hacked into your computer and recorded you visiting adult websites. They threaten to distribute the video to your friends and family within hours, unless you pay into their Bitcoin account. Stop. Don’t pay anything. Delete the message. It’s a scam.

Based on the timing of this spike, you may get one of these messages because your email was exposed in a recent data breach. The scammers may say they have access to your computer or webcam, or installed clever software to defeat you. That’s all talk. But they may really know one of your old – or recent – passwords, and they include it in the message to prove it. When you see that, you know it’s time to update your password on that account, and consider updating other passwords, too.

If you, or someone you know, get a message like this, please report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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makayla55
July 16, 2020

In reply to by Rich K

Same. My number is literally on the fed Do Not Call List yet they still call me everyday from various numbers.
wearenotafool
July 09, 2020
received a similar e-mail today mentioned recorded video and asked for $700 bitcoins. They did not show any password, plus I don't have any webcam either. total Scam
ausername
July 10, 2020
I recieved one of these emails a week ago and recieved another one today, and I've been getting these emails now for several months. They always use the name of an old password as title of the email and demand $5000 of bitcoins. The name of the email adresse that send these are always different, gibberish names followed by an @outlook. com email adress. I have gotten spam emails like these in the past but were never this threatening and persistent before. Im happy I didn't fall for this and I hope no one else has. I have reported these extortion attempts to the FTC and can only hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice.
miklobo
July 10, 2020
Received this same spam email last month and it is identical in detail to everyone's here. Same circumstance old password on old accounts, need to do some digital clean-up. THX for all of your inputs.
Diamonti
July 10, 2020
Received three of these emails today titled "Video of You" It wanted me to send $500 to an Etherium wallet using a password I stopped using when I was a teenager, still kind of stressful though.
J-S-22
July 11, 2020
I’ve received one of these emails. Exactly as described at the beginning of this page. Thank you, for looking into these occurrences
Anonymous
July 14, 2020
I got similiar scam email. They threatened me with my old growtopia password :D that i used 6 years ago. They said they will spread my webcam videos to 8 of my contacts, if i would not pay them in bitcoin. The email sender was "Patrick Diaz"
Dio777
July 15, 2020
I received one of these on July 11, 2020. Same type of format as others have mentioned. It was initially disconcerting since they did make mention of one of my old passwords. But the text of the message made it obvious that it was a scam. I have reported it to the FTC accordingly.
Mo
July 15, 2020
We were alerted through email that a couple of accounts had been accessed from the Netherlands. They managed to change the email address on one. We immediately deleted credit card information and changed passwords. We received the ransom bit coin email the following day with the password. Same verbiage about hijacking web cam. We’ve changed all passwords and contacted financial institutions. Will report .
makayla55
July 16, 2020
Received an email like this and I was freaked out because the password is correct. More worried of them accessing my emails than of the alleged video they claim to have of me.
littlenightmare29
July 17, 2020
They threatened to call the fbi on me to come to my job and house is this a possible scam just so i could buy bitcoin for them? This just happend to me last night
thanki
July 17, 2020
Yes I just got one too! Thank you for sharing this post. I’ll send the info to you guys!
Mto1982
July 17, 2020
I just got this email wanting $1024 in bitcoin form, it freaked me out but then I googled the scam and feel much better even though I have never gone to an adult porn site. Still scary since they had an old password!
Donna
July 18, 2020
I received the bitcoin email twice. i was told the same as everyone else "pay the bitcoi" or I'll be exposed for something I haven't done. They are driving me nuts with my Facebook password. Probably will delete or at least deactivate it for a while. It is a shame there are so many scammers out there.
DoneGotScammed
July 20, 2020
Received an email that asked me so send Bitcoin to this address 3QAx1K8oy7gE8hjv7ZRjj83tQeVVJJHeo9
Old Lady
July 21, 2020
I received an email message last week which went to my SPAM folder extorting me for $1025.00 in Bitcoin. I, of course, have not responded. But the password the sender used is one of my active passwords. And I use it for my desktop. I wanted to ask if any of you received wording similar to “When you were viewing videos, your browser started out operating as a RDP having a key logger which provided me with accessibility to your display and web cam.” First, I haven’t viewed any videos, so I am interrupting that this is bogus, but a friend of mine who builds and repairs computers tells me that he is concerned with the term “key logger”. He suggests that I reinstall my Windows program. Your thoughts?
Kay
July 21, 2020
Found the same scam email trying to extort money from me ($1,007), listing an old email password that I haven’t used in a very long time. Having had security training in a previous job enabled me to see the warning signs like unknown name of sender, misspellings, poor grammar, and the biggest clue it was a scam was the threat of sending something to friends & family about an adult site I supposedly visited. I had to burst out laughing at that. Unfortunately, the tone of the email does put panic in some people and cause them to fall for the scam.
MarinK
July 22, 2020
Noticed more or less same e-mail in my junk mail folder today, it was sent 6 days ago. I didn't comply with their demands, for what they gave me 24-hurs deadline, and nothing happened. It is quite obvious that they don't have anything on anyone except leaked passwords which can be easily obtained on black market.
Shlm
July 22, 2020
I lost some sleep over this scam. Thanks for posting. I will change the very old password referenced in the e-mail
Island61
July 23, 2020
I got a text message with the same threat. Have others revived texts?
Lola
July 24, 2020
I received the email too - giving me 24 hours to send them $2000 in bitcoin or they will send my supposed vídeo to my contacts.
ConnieDon't us…
July 24, 2020
Got one riday that wanted 1023 dolkar or they woul post a video of me watching porn. Well. I am very old. And my memory is not what it used to be. I never have watched porn! They used an old oasword that i have only used on job sites. Just be aware of job sites
feniangirl
July 24, 2020
I received THE email this morning. Note: it never mentioned my name. Same threat for Bitcoin. "My Bitcoin Wallet (BTC Wallet): bc1qcq75a63xsnt7hfqcvx5vvnnrxaevkw4kgt5fet" Just last night my Walmart account was hacked & over $4,000 worth of merchandise ordered in 2 hours. Thank God, AmEx is on the ball and texted me about possible fraudulent charges. Just wonder if this is a coincidence or if they are linked. I've seen online many hacked WalMart account complaints. After spending all night on the phone & my computer, all my passwords have been changed & I have upgraded my AVG on my phone. Now I'm considering a VPN change. Any thoughts?
NicoleZ12
August 07, 2020
this is the email I received today:I I know Ni4 is one of your password on day of hack.. Lets get directly to the point. Not one person has paid me to check about you. You do not know me and you're probably thinking why you are getting this email? in fact, i actually placed a malware on the adult vids (adult porn) website and you know what, you visited this site to experience fun (you know what i mean). When you were viewing videos, your browser started out operating as a RDP having a key logger which provided me with accessibility to your display and web cam. immediately after that, my malware obtained every one of your contacts from your Messenger, FB, as well as email account. after that i created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you have a nice taste omg), and 2nd part displays the recording of your cam, and its you. Best solution would be to pay me $1010. We are going to refer to it as a donation. in this situation, i most certainly will without delay remove your video. My -BTC -address: 3FdpxDqCmpjr7Seo8KZ88YzFgXVD71jLxF [case SeNSiTiVe, copy & paste it] You could go on your life like this never happened and you will not ever hear back again from me. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search 'how to buy bitcoin' in Google). if you are planning on going to the law, surely, this e-mail can not be traced back to me, because it's hacked too. I have taken care of my actions. i am not looking to ask you for a lot, i simply want to be paid. if i do not receive the bitcoin;, i definitely will send out your video recording to all of your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, and so on. Nevertheless, if i do get paid, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you need proof, reply with Yeah then i will send out your video recording to your 8 friends. it's a nonnegotiable offer and thus please don't waste mine time & yours by replying to this message.
Intel359
August 19, 2020

In reply to by NicoleZ12

I got the exact same email today. Word for word. Did anything come of it? Was anything at all sent to your contacts?
MAGNOLIA1204
September 01, 2020

In reply to by Intel359

I received this exact email August 22. I didn't check my spam until now and I really freaked out that they really had one of my current passwords. Started changing one by one
rkshweta
July 26, 2020
Thankyou FTC for spreading awareness
got one, i hop…
July 26, 2020
I got one, the mo is very similar, claiming i went to an adult web(despite me hadnt been there in months), asking bitcoin, and showing password(wasnt mine, one of the family members, perhaps when I used it? Or because we have same IP address?), it was ignored for 10 days because i did not open my emails often, and nothing happen. So i do wish this is just a scam.
Claudia
July 27, 2020
Did anyone actually have it sent to their contacts?
Dan21100
July 27, 2020
I have recieved a email tonight demanding 0.0062 bitcoins which is £53 or they will expose me apparently they have given me a jumbled up load of numbers and letters saying if I didn't send it they knew where I lived they said they have people watching me and told me the address of my family is this a scam to make me send money
Mmmmmmmmmm
August 07, 2020
Here's one I received from "Joseph Murphy" Roberts@ I know ************ is one of your password on day of hack.. Lets get directly to the point. Not one person has paid me to check about you. You do not know me and you're probably thinking why you are getting this email? in fact, i actually placed a malware on the adult vids (adult porn) website and you know what, you visited this site to experience fun (you know what i mean). When you were viewing videos, your browser started out operating as a RDP having a key logger which provided me with accessibility to your display and web cam. immediately after that, my malware obtained every one of your contacts from your Messenger, FB, as well as email account. after that i created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you have a nice taste omg), and 2nd part displays the recording of your cam, and its you. Best solution would be to pay me $1067. We are going to refer to it as a donation. in this situation, i most certainly will without delay remove your video. My -BTC -address: 3K2qbZ1Kk6c8mtaUY3 Jzv35Xrryx 5WSE1P [case SeNSiTiVe, copy & paste it] You could go on your life like this never happened and you will not ever hear back again from me. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search 'how to buy bitcoin' in Google). if you are planning on going to the law, surely, this e-mail can not be traced back to me, because it's hacked too. I have taken care of my actions. i am not looking to ask you for a lot, i simply want to be paid. if i do not receive the bitcoin;, i definitely will send out your video recording to all of your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, and so on. Nevertheless, if i do get paid, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you need proof, reply with Yeah then i will send out your video recording to your 8 friends. it's a nonnegotiable offer and thus please don't waste mine time & yours by replying to this message.
Concerned
July 28, 2020
I wasn’t sure who to report the email I received today. I sent it to Internet crime complaint center. I now not sure that was the right thing to do. After I spoke to a relative about this and they connected me to this website
Apooo
July 28, 2020
I also got one email today. Stating that they have stolen my passwrd from porn website.bt I never visited any pornsite intentionally. They r giving warning to share my video with my frnds in social sites Should I worry about this?Or just ignore it.
Tony tee
July 28, 2020
I received one earlier today. Funny cause it went straight to spam. They wanted 1250 and even said how to use Bitcoin and to not reply and that they know that I read the message. Knew it was fake since it went to spam with a red flag. Unfortunately I deleted the message along with all spam messages. Hopefully i will receive another and this time save it
MotoMan
July 28, 2020
I received one of these emails this morning. The sender, a “Bobby Hughes” said he had my entire FB Messenger contact list and that he would send the video to all of them. Coincidentally, I received a FB message this morning from a Bobby, asking about an item I had for sale. He tried to get my address, but I gave him the address for the Target down the street, at which point he said that was too far from him. Seems oddly coincidental.
EBO
July 28, 2020
Got one today.
nicetry
July 29, 2020
I just got this exact one today. Made me think since they knew my password but I use an external monitor so they can't get webcam footage of me anyway lol
Vest
July 30, 2020
I just get these randomly on rare occasions. They always make the same claim and demand the same thing, but there's no similarities in the way they're written. I'm pretty sure a majority of these are just thrown at randomly generated email addresses.
Anonymous
July 31, 2020
I also have received a mail threathening me that they have my video recording and asking for 600 USD bitcoin to bc1qh5w9e539rpqwam259ec08ddlvpaupv58527zhg wallet during 24 hours and they said they have downloaded my contacts from social media and gmail.They also said they will not tell how they did it but councel you to keep your antivirus updated and avoid visiting pornsites, which i think i have only used 1 time till date.That too 4-5 months back.I filed a complaint with cybercrime.
Caleb
July 31, 2020
I just looked in my spam folder and found this exact spam email had come through on July 12th. It was a password I haven't used in years, so I don't know which specific website was compromised. Just filed an FTC complaint.
Threatening email
July 31, 2020
Same scenario. Threatening email in my spam with incorrect password, dated July 30, as follows: I know _____ is one of your password on day of hack.. Lets get directly to the point. Not one person has paid me to check about you. You do not know me and you're probably thinking why you are getting this email? in fact, i actually placed a malware on the adult vids (adult porn) website and you know what, you visited this site to experience fun (you know what i mean). When you were viewing videos, your browser started out operating as a RDP having a key logger which provided me with accessibility to your display and web cam. immediately after that, my malware obtained every one of your contacts from your Messenger, FB, as well as email account. after that i created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you have a nice taste omg), and 2nd part displays the recording of your cam, and its you. Best solution would be to pay me $1074. We are going to refer to it as a donation. in this situation, i most certainly will without delay remove your video. My -BTC -address: (removed) [case SeNSiTiVe, copy & paste it] You could go on your life like this never happened and you will not ever hear back again from me. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search 'how to buy bitcoin' in Google). if you are planning on going to the law, surely, this e-mail can not be traced back to me, because it's hacked too. I have taken care of my actions. i am not looking to ask you for a lot, i simply want to be paid. if i do not receive the bitcoin;, i definitely will send out your video recording to all of your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, and so on. Nevertheless, if i do get paid, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you need proof, reply with Yeah then i will send out your video recording to your 8 friends. it's a nonnegotiable offer and thus please don't waste mine time & yours by replying to this message.
TheyMustPay
August 01, 2020
Yes, so i received on of these emails the other day. Now i must say i was alarmed when i noticed one of my recent passwords at the top of their scummy email. In reading through their verbal trash it started to dawn on me that this, was pure nonsense. Their email didn't make sense as they said "If you want proof, reply 'Yeah' and i will send this to 8 of your contacts". Hahaha, why not just attach proof to the email so i know you were serious you utter mugs, why reply with just "Yeah" why not "Proof". Probably to validate my email address? If this was ligitimate... 1. Proof would have been attach already. 2. Why would you need to even ask for the proof. 3. If you did ask for proof, why would they then send it to your friends and not to you? That would mean they have ruined their own blackmail because now they will be getting nothing hahahaha. Other things i noticed, bad grammar, spelling mistakes, the amount asked for was totally random and unusual - $1004? Why not just $1000? Felt like responding to them laughing in their face telling them, "Send the video and we can all have a good laugh about it" As before, all i am concerned about is the password showing in the email. So .. all passwords changed, all strong, all different. The things people will do for money eh! Anybody who is worried, don't be. Simply change passwords to strong and different ones and go on with your day. Scammers, one of the lowest forms of trash on the planet swirling about with the rest if the planets trash.
Luke123
August 01, 2020
I keep getting and email that show up with my old password saying " no has paid me to do this I have access to my camera and say it infected with malware and they will hack my email and all my medias if I don't pay them" I found this email in spam and its a password I changed in 2017 I had the email atleast 3 times.
mxb
September 24, 2020
Can anyone please recommend in which category should this be filed on this page.. https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov There are a few categories on the left.. I'm confused. Thanks
Marianne
August 04, 2020
I just received this email in my spam and I would say I was so scary! Thanks for sharing your experiences in this website. I reported him in the FTC website. He asked for $1070 for not sharing my video. I'm completely sure I never watched that kinda videos he was threatening me about!
MrsKRP
August 04, 2020
Today I received this email: I know !##% is one of your password on day of hack.. Lets get directly to the point. Not one person has paid me to check about you. You do not know me and you're probably thinking why you are getting this email? in fact, i actually placed a malware on the adult vids (adult porn) website and you know what, you visited this site to experience fun (you know what i mean). When you were viewing videos, your browser started out operating as a RDP having a key logger which provided me with accessibility to your display and web cam. immediately after that, my malware obtained every one of your contacts from your Messenger, FB, as well as email account. after that i created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you have a nice taste omg), and 2nd part displays the recording of your cam, and its you. Best solution would be to pay me $1029. We are going to refer to it as a donation. in this situation, i most certainly will without delay remove your video. My -BTC -address: 1MWiG63WvjtCc2p7sc6T6BRARLY8HYm9ym [case SeNSiTiVe, copy & paste it] You could go on your life like this never happened and you will not ever hear back again from me. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search 'how to buy bitcoin' in Google). if you are planning on going to the law, surely, this e-mail can not be traced back to me, because it's hacked too. I have taken care of my actions. i am not looking to ask you for a lot, i simply want to be paid. if i do not receive the bitcoin;, i definitely will send out your video recording to all of your contacts including friends and family, co-workers, and so on. Nevertheless, if i do get paid, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you need proof, reply with Yeah then i will send out your video recording to your 8 friends. it's a nonnegotiable offer and thus please don't waste mine time & yours by replying to this message.
Red
August 04, 2020
Received one of these the other day, found it in my spam folder early Monday. Since it arrived 7/29 and gave a time limit of 50 hrs, I think there may be a recurrence of this thing. The threat was also very vague, citing "your device's OS" instead of specifics. I think it had the same "Mono" signature as someone had mentioned down below, but I instinctively deleted it before reading it thoroughly, so I don't know if it had a password of mine. Changed all of my relevant ones, just to be safe. Any assurance that this is still an ongoing scam? There shouldn't be anything that they would be able to use, but the idea of someone having access to my devices is unnerving, and with the prevalence of deepfakes, they could make a facsimile of me do just about anything.
DC 123
August 05, 2020
Just received one regarding a 50 hour time limit and knowing when you read the message on August 2nd. Anyone else receive this?
Someone
August 05, 2020
I received a scam email from an "untraceable" hacker 6 days ago on an old email address. The person stated that they had hacked into my OS when I "visited adult website" and recorded me doing "very disgusting" things. I found the scam email disturbing, but I deleted it forever without giving it another thought. Creepy people trying to extort anyone they can.