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“I know about the secret you are keeping from your wife and everyone else. You can ignore this letter, or pay me a $8600 confidentiality fee in Bitcoin”.

It’s enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, but these chilling words are part of a new scam targeting men.

Here’s how it works. Scammers have been sending letters to men, demanding payments using bitcoin in exchange for keeping quiet about alleged affairs. The letter also explains how to use bitcoin to make the payment.

This is a criminal extortion attempt to separate people from their money.

If you — or someone you know — gets a letter like this, report it immediately to your local police, and the FBI.

Threats, intimidation and high-pressure tactics are classic signs of a scam. Learn how to stay ahead of clever crooks with these practical tips, and check out the ways you can keep your personal information secure.

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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

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JayJay
May 05, 2020

In reply to by Mad as Hell

No they’re definitely getting old passwords of ours. Yours just happens to be all numbers it sounds like but who told you it’s just an old phone number not in use? I’m just curious. Be mindful of what you click on. It’s wise not to even open the email.
More of the same
April 30, 2020

In reply to by nkb

They had an old LinkedIn password as proof. Came from what appearsto be a Microsoft outlook account but suspect.
FA
May 05, 2020

In reply to by nkb

I received one too...with the same detailed threat. I made a copy and deleted scam email and reset passwords immediately. It is indeed scary. Will submit a report at once. Thanks for sharing your experience.
aka.135
May 13, 2020

In reply to by nkb

same email... this one giving me 24 hours before they will release my video.
KPJ
May 13, 2020

In reply to by aka.135

I received the same kind of email. I barely read the entire message because it freaked me out. 2000 bitcoin threat, had old pw, threatened I have 24hrs, and claimed porn sites. So nothing came of anything when ignored?
KCD66
May 13, 2020

In reply to by aka.135

I received one today, they mentioned a old password from years years ago in the text, said they had video of me through my webcam doing naughty things and would send it out to everyone if i didnt send 2000 in bitcoin to them in 24 hrs.
reporter
May 14, 2020

In reply to by KCD66

I received the same email today. Bitcoin wallet ending with DpqKh
Restauration
April 23, 2020

In reply to by NebraskaGuy

I received a similar email on my birthday too( April 22 ) demanding 2,000 bitcoins. I am relieved and angry at the same time for scammers doing this!
Restauration
April 23, 2020

In reply to by InColorado

I labeled it junk and deleted it. I am just following this website to see what others comment about.
DanG
April 23, 2020

In reply to by InColorado

Same thing happened to us yesterday. Notified the FBI Cyber Crime site as well.
chrism
April 26, 2020

In reply to by DanG

same thing to me yesterday...10 year old password asking 2000 in bitcoin or else cell phone contacts my porn history no web cam no pro activity on my part...got the IP from amsterdam and it was an outlook .com email sent it to the FBI and the FTC
jlbizz
April 24, 2020

In reply to by InColorado

I received one last night myself. $2000 bitcoin from hotmail account with a similar password to one I use, but not exact. May have been an old password, or one of those verifying words used in association with a picture. Used a webcam on my home pc for a couple weeks after I started working from home with the COVID-19 situation, but it was unreliable and tossed it in a drawer. Certainly wasn't watching porn from this pc.
Restauration
April 24, 2020

In reply to by jlbizz

It is a scam, as someone mentioned earlier, a mass mailing hoping someone bites. I labelled it junk and deleted it.
mach1
April 23, 2020

In reply to by RMT

I received exactly the same email today. An old password was in the Subject. Came from a Geraldine Bloom at csibernixow@ I was directed to send $2,000 in bitcoin to:1L8BpsVxLXT jzQeDJbUmi eNSWkZfbn*ueDZ LOL
rojoshoes
April 24, 2020

In reply to by mach1

I received the same email today wanting 2k from a Orlan Lutcavage
sue
May 03, 2020

In reply to by rojoshoes

I am not a senior and I got the same email. So it is not senior abuse, it is an attempt to extort money from anyone that they think they can scare.
Ticked off Victim
May 22, 2020

In reply to by sue

Thank you. I am not a senior either... close but not yet. I got this as text on my phone , 2 days in a row.. They will not let up threatening and using expletives at me.. saying they have a video of me but they call me by my husbands name. Such Liars.... IGNORE, DON'T respond... keep blocking them.
Diiiiii
April 28, 2020

In reply to by mach1

I received one today asking for the $2000k bitcoin and same threats as described. Super old password of mine in the subject line. Mine came from a Geraldine Boyne at a random Outlook email.
DD
April 28, 2020

In reply to by Diiiiii

I got one today from Geraldine Boyne too. It was the second one, raising the price since I didn’t respond the day before. Very threatening with lots of cussing. I shudder to think of a child receiving these and afraid to tell anyone or even responding to the email . Soooooooooooo Nasty and Evil!!!
tickedoff
May 01, 2020

In reply to by DD

I have received two of these letters and on April 30th a second letter raising the price and it was very threatening. I know it is a scam, I just don't know who to report it to, probably nothing to be done about it.
Ticked off Victim
May 22, 2020

In reply to by tickedoff

Yes me too, 2 days in a row.. I am not responding, which experts say do not. They jacked up price and got very threatening for my world to be destroyed. They cussed in the first text, saying G damn. But they are liars.
Irritated
May 02, 2020

In reply to by DD

I have received three of these emails in the past week. The third one was more threatening, using a lot of cuss word, raised the price and said they released the video to some porn sites. Really? Who would want to watch it. As a test I turned on my camera (after removing the tape) to see what could possibly be in the video. Possibly a head shot of an old man or a view of the ceiling. What kind of porn site did they load it to? I find these emails to be disturbing since they do have a password and email address. Fortunately for me it is just an address and not an email account. As others have mentioned they must get these from some of the security breaches that have occured. It has prompted me to be more diligent in updating my passwords and now I have become a big fan of two-factor authentication. Prior to this I hated two-factor authentication! Some of these breaches involve millions of ID's. They are playing the numbers, i.e., if only a few respond it will pay off. Very irritating.
canisazure
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Boopsiepoo

I received the same type of threat today, on my work email. I reported it to my work IT and they told me I could contact local police. I thought about filling out the FBI form, but I didn't fall for the scam. The police thought it might be worth reporting to them anyway, in case they have other examples of this scam.
SMA
April 27, 2020

In reply to by Boopsiepoo

Thanks for the great laugh. Had tears running down my face LMBO. I told my fiancee that if he gets one of these emails that would be his Christmas gift. Good luck with that. Same as everyone else - very threatening - very old password that I already knew was compromised from the credit karma and equifax sites - $2000 in bitcoin - nasty - I came here to see if it was known and I see it is. I received 2 from different 'names'. twcollenkr@ and ufoswaldoo@
Auggie47
April 28, 2020

In reply to by SMA

I received the same email today. I was trying to figure out how they got my old password. You said credit karma and Equifax when did that happen?
Don't use your…
April 30, 2020

In reply to by Boopsiepoo

So what did you do about it? This is second email I have received and feel it threatening since they know a password that I have used in the past.
nanabanana
May 01, 2020

In reply to by Boopsiepoo

yes, I have received the same email 3 times in the last 10 days using an old password from MICROSOFT account I closed a year ago. They are all identical except for the sender. Must be a club. I am 70 female and not a porn visitor. Phishing for suckers. Must be that prince in Nigeria with a new scam. Great Christmas gift idea!
Also scammed
May 02, 2020

In reply to by Boopsiepoo

Boopsiepoo, I am also a 69 year old woman who was (today) threatened in the same way, except that I was to send $3000 in bitcoins, with a porn video to be sent to my contact list if I don't send it. Obviously this scam is ongoing! I also don't have a video camera, nor do I watch (or have any interest in) porn! I have reported it to the FBI as well as the FTC. Now I'll run a full scan of my computer to make sure there is no garbage on there!
Blueskin_Black…
April 12, 2020

In reply to by Innocentvictim

I got one from this account. I don't have a webcam and have never been to a porn site my whole life either. I'm sure the FBI will get them eventually. Everyone stealing money from us is somehow stealing money from them. 1G396qRHNusc6t7GxySQtWxfoFSfawLe2U
Justpissed
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Blueskin_Black…

I'm now getting these would it help to change email address? Their threatening me with old info. I did report the first one to FBI filled out the online form but who knows if they really care.
use your e-ma…
May 14, 2020

In reply to by Justpissed

Any idea how are they accessing our old passwords ? Are our systems getting hacked?
HappenedtoMe2
February 07, 2019

In reply to by HappenedtoMe

I received the same extortion threat email today using an old password, I was really worried that they had information to sent to my contact, I was going to send them the money, I'm so glad that I googled this information finding out that this has been going on for a long time, thank you all
MeToo!!
February 13, 2019

In reply to by HappenedtoMe

I received this email on Feb. 12, 2019. While I wasn't worried about a webcam video the crook claimed to have of me, the fact that s/he had a combination of an old password really scared me and they tried to extort money. They need to be caught quickly. BTC address in my email was; 1F8Nwbr43tADcRNYpHkVQnjBaF47LMpvfe
Ali
April 25, 2019

In reply to by MeToo!!

Just received one today April 25 saying they'll send my video to my facebook friends except I don't have facebook.
Sae
May 02, 2020

In reply to by Ali

I’ve been receiving these same threats every 3 days or so. They Listed an old password in Subject line. Also threatened to forward compromising video to phone contacts and FB friends, except I don’t have FB account! Sounded more threatening and angry in last email. Last deadline of 21 hours has passed 48 hours ago! Lol Glad I found this notice board. I did report to FTC Fraud Abuse and my email provider which I’m considering dropping since they have not responded to my complaint. All 3 threats are from different names, but all are hotmail addresses and demand 2000 Bitcoin.
Nitsah
February 20, 2019

In reply to by HappenedtoMe

I got one today, I laughed and deleted it. Last year or year before, a company got hacked (well not really hacked, they just didn't have their information secure enough). That company had millions of peoples information, passwords, address, websites, interests, kids names, spouses name, etc. Someone took that and sold it on the dark web, apparently whoever bought it is sending out these emails now. creditkarma.com sent me an email letting me know several of my passwords and information had been taken, thankfully that password had been changed several years ago so it didn't really affect me.
Metoo
February 25, 2019

In reply to by HappenedtoMe

I just received an email in my spam folder trying to black mail me about some site I was not on it did have an old email address and said they were going to contact all my contracts with this seedy information and a video. They wanted 936 bit coins. I did delete the email,but what I am reading is I should report it to the FBI. I did send out a blank email (from a different email address) to all my contacts not to open any emails from the affected email address I hope I did the right thing
Tape
February 27, 2019

In reply to by Metoo

cover your camera lens with black tape or dark paper. I have had mine covered for over 2 years. cant video you if covered
Gio
March 17, 2019

In reply to by Tape

Along with covering your camera lens with black tape or dark paper, go into your privacy settings and disable the camera and your microphone if you don't use either one on a daily bases.
Me
March 08, 2019

In reply to by HappenedtoMe

I received this bit of garbage just yesterday: Sent from my iPad On Mar 7, 2019, at 9:43 AM I am well aware xxxxxxxx is one of your pass. Lets get directly to the point. There is no one who has paid me to check about you. You don't know me and you are probably wondering why you're getting this mail. actually, i setup a software on the 18+ vids (sex sites) web-site and there's more, you visited this site to have fun (you know what i mean). While you were viewing video clips, your internet browser started out operating as a Remote control Desktop that has a key logger which gave me access to your screen as well as webcam. Right after that, my software collected your entire contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, and email . Next i created a double video. 1st part displays the video you were viewing (you've got a good taste hahah), and second part displays the recording of your webcam, yea its u (I don’t have a webcam on my PC) You actually have two different alternatives. We are going to study these possibilities in particulars First alternative is to skip this e mail. as a result, i most certainly will send out your actual recorded material to all your your personal contacts and also imagine regarding the humiliation you experience. Not to forget if you happen to be in a romance, how this will affect? Next option would be to give me $889. We are going to refer to it as a donation. Then, i most certainly will promptly delete your videotape. You will go on your daily life like this never happened and you are never going to hear back again from me. You'll make the payment through Bi‌tco‌in (if you do not know this, search for 'how to buy b‌itcoi‌n' in Google). B‌T‌C‌ ad‌dre‌ss to send to: 14cxPepKjJ8XR5k4u7jskJiqMH2vGFV5WY Should you are planning on going to the law enforcement, good, this email message cannot be traced back to me. I have covered my moves. i am not attempting to demand so much, i wish to be rewarded. e-mail if i do not get the ‌bi‌tco‌in‌, i definitely will send out your video to all of your contacts including membe rs of your family, co-workers, and so forth. Nevertheless, if i receive the payment, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you need evidence, reply Yeah! and i definitely will send out your video to your 8 friends. it's a non-negotiable offer, therefore please do not waste my personal time and yours by replying to this mail.
Mr DGAF
April 24, 2019

In reply to by Me

I got the same one too, as follows: [old password from years ago] ^^ is your password. You don't know me and you're thinking why you received this email, right? I placed 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 an RDP (Remote Desktop) and a key logger 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 do? I made a splitscreen video. First part recorded the video you were viewing (you've got a fine taste haha), and next part recorded your Webcam (Yepl la'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 -->> 1E6RLxR1rXQAW6ribdi9v9dePCsBNYFbBT (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 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, ill 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.
Deblette
May 14, 2019

In reply to by Mr DGAF

I just got the same email. I have never been to a porn site in my life. The password was an old one. I filed a complaint with the FBI cyber crime division. I was not able however to copy and paste the body of the email and the source code was 31 pages long so would not fit either. So, the FBI will need to contact me if they would like a copy of the email and source info........... What a bunch of dirt bags.
Dave
May 17, 2019

In reply to by Deblette

I just received the same exact email word per word and I did a search on some old email lists and every thing exactly matched to my old Equifax account - go figure.
RANP
May 14, 2019

In reply to by Mr DGAF

I got this exact one yesterday. I reported it, but not worried about them. But so frustrating! I'm almost 70, so this is elder abuse.
Ray
May 22, 2019

In reply to by Mr DGAF

I got a similar message on 5/20/19 which I accidentally opened. I think I had received similar messages before, but I did not open them if I do not recognize. I am concerned that someone had hacked into my computer and stolen my information on banking and other online bill payment. At east I am somewhat relieved that others had similar messages and this could be scam going on.
JJaecks
June 06, 2019

In reply to by Mr DGAF

I got nearly this exact same message this morning, but with a bunch of gibberish between the sentences
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