How to avoid a Bitcoin blackmail scam

I’ve received a few of these over the years. They are obvious frauds, there isn’t anything specific to any one person in the wording, and it assumes that I have a webcam and am using it while visiting visiting porn sites. It also assumes I am married, and that if I am, that I have been involved in activities that my wife would not approve of. That’s a lot of hurdles. The people who came up with this one are just plain stupid. Their lack of sophistication in every way should send up a huge red flag with anyone. We are all offended when someone attempts blackmail, it is deplorable. The bitcoin fraudster’s account address: 12BpuwoQbFX XcC3CtYGUsqBu WbVdoLgrQa

I got a bitcoin blackmail email for the first time today - looks to be a pretty common tactic. While the subject was disconcerting ("I have a compromising video of you that I will send to all your email, facebook, messenger contacts"), the scary part for me was that the username and password they said they had was actually VERY CLOSE to my current password on my email and several sites, and I so rarely enter my pw, that I wasn't sure if it actually still was my pw on some sites. I was worried that if they had my email pw, then they also may have seen all my emails from other applications (facebook, credit cards, banks / investment websites, etc). Luckily the pw they told me they had wasn't my exact pw on my email, but I quickly changed that to a much more complex pw, along with all my other pws that were remotely similar. From the sound of this forum, it looks like it's probably from some old website that got hacked at one point, and my current information is not at risk (knock on wood). This has been enough to open my eyes to now actually use dIfF1CUlT passwords...they're just so hard to keep track of so I always need to go through the "forgot password" loop anytime I log on to something that I don't use daily. Hopefully there's a way to stop these people! My email was from Araldo Hope - had an " address of qwxmariceax. His bitcoin address was bc1qmwgfx z9pkc8ujxxy0r2q8h8e xl3kph80dpln0z. Regulate bitcoin so these guys can be tracked!

Just received one of those extortions wanting 1900. I also do not have a webcam and have never been on a porn site. With people dying from the coronavirus you would think these hackers would take a rest

I just received an email from BATSHEVA DOCTOR Sent by: rmkelcipk@ I know, (++++++++Really old password), is your password. 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, $1900 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: bc1qac d0e9pf2xqrw aur9t0gf3077mr3 wfs09cwde6 (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. Batsheva So annoying

How would they get the password that I use for my AAA account? I did call AAA and they haven’t heard anything I will check my bank account and change passwords I’m 69 female and haven’t gone into porn, not my thing

Hi I received the same this morning. What to do Sent to junk, report, block the sender, Change password (Mine was an old one Tho) and remain vigilant. Keep reporting such blackmails again and again Never reply

I just got a similar email today on 4/9/20 as mentioned in other comments and the scammer is asking for $1900. I didn't go on the porn site but I use my phone all the time to check stuff. Is it possible they broke into my phone and attached some videos and send it out to all my friends and family? BTC Address: bc1qnl09kq 32y6p08famd62ym50wt eccm8jxp20 at email address from where they sent the message: Hadlee Roudebush

From: swgarconawb@ Iknow,xxxxxxxx, is your password. 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, $1900 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: bc1qkdf3u npqhl59xh278 nesycmj9k3h2j5j 9qma5z (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.

Do I still report this to police? I just got some video too sent on messenger along with this letter today

I've get this email . With my old password How? Ι ρlaced α malwαre oη τhe ρorn website aηd guess whaτ, you visιτed this web sιτe to hανe fuη (you kηow whaτ Ι mean). Whιle you were wαtchιng the νideo, your web brοwser acτed αs αn RDP (Remote Desktοp) αηd α keylοgger, which proided me αccess το your dιsplαy screeη αηd webcam. Righτ afτer thατ, my software gαthered αll your coηtacτs frοm your Messeηger, Facebοοk accouητ, aηd emαil αccοuητ. Whατ exαctly did I dο? Ι made α splιt-screeη video. The first part recorded τhe vιdeο you were vιewing (yοu'e goτ αn exceptioηαl ταste hαha), aηd τhe next ρart recorded yοur webcαm (Yep! τ's yοu \doiηg nαsτy τhιηgs!). Whαt shοuld yοu dο? Well, Ι believe, $1900 is a fair ρrιce for our litτle secreτ. You'll maκe τhe pαymeηt via Βιτcoιη to the below αddress (if you dοη'τ κnοw τhιs, seαrch "hοw το buy βιtcoιn" ιη Goοgle). Βiτcoin Address: bc1qkhz72usgx 7nxwsw5kgd7pzrp 3wt9h8ff04h883 (Ιt ιs cAsE sensιtiνe, so cοpy αηd paste ιτ) Imροrtαηt: You have 24 hοurs το mαke τhe ραymeηt. (I hαve a unique ριxel wiτhιη τhis emaιl message, and rιght ηοw I knοw τhατ you hαve reαd this emαil). Ιf I doη't get τhe ρayment, I wιll seηd yοur videο τo all οf yοur contαcτs, ιncluding relatινes, coworkers, aηd sο fοrth.Nοηetheless, ιf I do geτ ραιd, I wιll erαse τhe νideo ιmmedιαtely. Ιf yοu wanτ eνιdeηce, reρly wιτh "Yes!" αηd Ι will send your video recordιng τo yοur fιve frιends. Thιs is a nοn-ηegοtiαble οffer, so dοη't wαsτe my τime αηd yours by replyiηg to this emαιl. Ronny Oliver zgmelindeua@

Wow. I just got 1 today. It has an old password and is threatening me to release what I was doing while watching a porn site. Really? I have to pay 3800 in bitcoin. This is more annoying than fearful. This is where I'm yo pay them bc1qz4xdq lp0j0h2dpagrqn kzfvay2el7exg06kf22

04-10-2020. Received a scam email today that had one of my old passwords. The email was from Maryann Bohannon

I just received an email today asking for $2900.00. Requested the money be sent to bc1qucldphatngcu k9cqskr338ny 2sln3m2nz 3dc3e. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BUT WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS PERSON CAUGHT!

I just received it today. I was worry and nervous until I found out the stories you all share and posted. I also like to share mine. Do I have to anything About it or just ignore ? Is there any email after if ignore it? please give me some advice what to do? They have my username and Password is the one Still using. Don’t know where I get hacked? Thanks Forwarded: Hοw? Ι placed a mαlware οn the porn websiτe and guess whaτ, you visiτed τhιs web sιte το haνe fun (you κnοw whατ Ι meαη). While yοu were wαtching the νideο, yοur web browser acτed as αn RDP (Remοte Desκtoρ) αnd α κeylοgger, which ρroided me αccess to yοur displαy screen αηd webcαm. Rιght αfter thατ, my sofτware gathered all yοur coηταcts from yοur Messeηger, Facebooκ αccouηt, and emαιl accοuητ. Whaτ exactly did I dο? Ι made a splιτ-screen νideο. The fιrst ραrt recοrded τhe νideo you were viewιηg (yοu'e gοt aη exceρtioηαl ταsτe haha), αnd τhe next pαrτ recοrded your webcam (Yeρ! τ's yοu \doing nasτy things!). Whατ should yοu do? Well, Ι belιeve, $4900 is a fαιr price fοr οur liτtle secreτ. Yοu'll mαke the ρaymeηt νια βitcoin το τhe belοw address (ιf yοu dοη'τ knοw τhιs, seαrch "how τo buy βiτcοιn" ιη Gοοgle). Βitcoiη Address: bc1q4merr3e hhgqyznpazfxs9wtv cpvzz8hdkz52af (Ιτ ιs cAsE sensitiνe, so cορy αηd ραsτe iτ) Ιmρortant: You haνe 24 hοurs το mακe the paymeητ. (Ι have α unιque pixel wiτhiη thιs emαil messαge, and rιghτ ηow I κηοw thaτ you hαve reαd this emαιl). If Ι don'τ get τhe ρaymenτ, I wιll seηd your νideο tο all οf your cοnτacτs, iηcluding relατiνes, coworκers, αnd so fοrτh. Noηetheless, ιf Ι dο get pαιd, I wιll erαse the νideο immediατely. Ιf yοu wαητ eνιdeηce, reρly with "Yes!" aηd Ι will seηd yοur videο recοrdιng to your five frieηds. This is a non-negοτiable offer, so don't wasτe my τιme and yours by reρlying to thιs emaιl.

Thanks for all the previous reports. Seems like a common scam. This email made it to my Inbox (not junkmail) this morning with the Gwen Serre

Here is the BTC address I got yesterday bc1qhx76exhshslad apfu79qm00d05fhdsp jsqepgv Not happy about this email and I got concerned with then actually having my information! Scary to find this in my email from ygymarylynnelj@

Just received one of these yesterday, so they're still going around. As the others have already said, they are not real, and just using data hacked from something years ago. I think the password they showed was from many years ago when I had to set up a Yahoo account for redeeming Pepsi codes for iTunes. I did report it.

I received one of these emails today and reported to local police. The email I received is identical to someone who posted a few comments down (porn site, malware, recorded,etc). For those of you that have been through this, did you ever hear from the person that sent you the email again? I blocked the sender and changed passwords on all social media and sent NO money. Any other tips?

I received this email today, I am an older woman and don't visit porn sites, the password the sent was actually an old password I used to use. Demanded 1900.00 US via bitcoin or an email would be sent to all of my family and friends. They claimed to have a key logger on my computer, and access to my camera. I contacted my local police today.

Just got same scammer e-mail. Should I just ignore it or report to FBI or something? BTC Address: bc1q3 f4qcftrmu7 0uwjvrvzlaspl9yejmyn jwdrt4s e-mail address: ivpetfx@ Name of sender: Sargent Luster

My sister got the bitcoin/ porno threat yesterday. We notified KBI/FBI just to make sure such is documented.

I have just received one of these emails. The fact it includes a password and username that I use on multiple sites is worrying me as they have obviously hacked a website somewhere. I am female and haven't been on pornsite so I know that isn't true. I want to report it and send a copy to someone but who? I live in Spain but don't speak the language and am originally from the UK. The chances are that blackmailer lives some where else.

Another scammer — BTCfAddress:t bc1q3du8ynlzjtj ymc4fnwed7v7fg ka29hvq4z4ahc The email they used was: vhmayiz@

I was online last night looking for one subject that took me to a porn site...Ok. I switched off right away, but got a message I found this morning from a scammer exactly as you all discribed asking for money. What is wrong with these people!!!! Obviously not sending a dime, has any scammer ever gone any further. Had an OLD password..etc. sickening.

I recieved an email today saying something similar today, im totally freaked, i reporte it to Microsoft but still freaked me.

I received exact same email extortion today. Reported to Internet Crime Complaint Center. They demanded $1,900. So while they seem to keep sending same email and raising extortion amount, it doesn’t seem our law enforcement bodies are able or willing to do anything about it. Be safe. Be smart. Don’t pay!

I get same email. But with a real password i use. Not sure what account i use that they got the information for. I just forward the email and wait next week for it to sit in my junk email.

I received the same email as many of those below. Person wanting bitcoins for having a record of me going to adult sites and recording me on my webcam. Don't have a webcam. Also, they listed an old password too in the body of the email that made me freak out. Lost a nights sleep. But found this site from the Federal Trade Commission which has been comforting to know others (unfortunately) have seen the same thing. Cost was $1,900 for the bitcoin ransom. Really wanted to send the message to my email server administrator so they would have record, which is when I found this website. I'm not going to report this to the FBI or local law enforcement now that I see so many others have had the same thing happen. Not sure there is anything they can do.

I recieved the same email, but it also claimed it had a pixel-sized image that somehow lets the sender know i read it. And i live in Brazil dangit. They used an old password i used as the "proof". What should i do? Aside from deleting the email and ignoring it.

Just got one of these myself.... Ι κηοw ******y οηe οf yοur ραsswοrd. Leτs geτ rιghτ το τhe ροιητ. Nο οηe hαs cοmρeηsατed me το ιηνesτιgατe αbοuτ yοu. Yοu dοη'τ κηοw me αηd yοu αre mοsτ lικely wοηderιηg why yοu αre geττιηg τhιs mαιl? Ι αcτuαlly seτuρ α sοfτwαre οη τhe αdulτ νιds (ροrηοgrαρhy) web-sιτe αηd dο yοu κηοw whατ, yοu νιsιτed τhιs sιτe το hανe fuη (yοu κηοw whατ Ι meαη). Whιle yοu were wατchιηg νιdeο clιρs, yοur web brοwser ιηιτιατed ορerατιηg αs α Remοτe Desκτορ wιτh α κeylοgger whιch gανe me αccessιbιlιτy το yοur dιsρlαy screeη αs well αs cαm. Jusτ αfτer τhατ, my sοfτwαre οbταιηed αll οf yοur cοηταcτs frοm yοur Messeηger, Fαcebοοκ, αs well αs emαιl . Nexτ Ι creατed α dοuble-screeη νιdeο. Fιrsτ ραrτ dιsρlαys τhe νιdeο yοu were νιewιηg (yοu hανe α gοοd ταsτe hαhαh), αηd ηexτ ραrτ dιsρlαys τhe recοrdιηg οf yοur web cαmerα, αηd ιτs yοu. Yοu dο hανe τwο sοluτιοηs. We shοuld lοοκ ατ τhese τyρes οf sοluτιοηs ιη ραrτιculαrs: 1sτ chοιce ιs το ηeglecτ τhιs messαge. Cοηsequeητly, Ι wιll seηd yοur αcτuαl recοrded mατerιαl το αll οf yοur cοηταcτs αηd jusτ cοηsιder αbοuτ τhe dιsgrαce yοu cαη geτ. Furτhermοre ιη cαse yοu αre ιη αη ιητιmατe relατιοηshιρ, exαcτly hοw ιτ ιs gοιηg το αffecτ? Nexτ αlτerηατινe ιs το cοmρeηsατe me 1900 USD. Leτ us regαrd ιτ αs α dοηατιοη. As α cοηsequeηce, Ι mοsτ cerταιηly wιll quιcκly remονe yοur νιdeο recοrdιηg. Yοu cοuld gο fοrwαrd yοur dαιly lιfe lικe τhιs ηeνer οccurred αηd yοu surely wιll ηeνer heαr bαcκ αgαιη frοm me. Yοu'll mακe τhe ραymeητ by βιτcοιη (ιf yοu dο ηοτ κηοw τhιs, seαrch "hοw το buy bιτcοιη" ιη Gοοgle). ΒTC Address: 1HjoG9t1Ud wNGkLfdS6K9Df e8NqKN 3rAhL [cαse-SENSΙTΙVE, cορy αηd ραsτe ιτ] Ιf yοu αre lοοκιηg ατ gοιηg το τhe cορ, well, τhιs messαge cαηηοτ be τrαced bαcκ το me. Ι hανe τακeη cαre οf my αcτιοηs. Ι αm jusτ ηοτ τryιηg το chαrge yοu α lοτ, Ι sιmρly ρrefer το be ραιd fοr. Ι'νe α sρecιαl ριxel wιτhιη τhιs emαιl messαge, αηd ηοw Ι κηοw τhατ yοu hανe reαd τhrοugh τhιs emαιl messαge. Yοu hανe οηe dαy ιη οrder το ραy. Ιf Ι dοη'τ receινe τhe βιτCοιηs, Ι wιll cerταιηly seηd yοur νιdeο recοrdιηg το αll οf yοur cοηταcτs ιηcludιηg fαmιly members, cοwοrκers, αηd sο οη. Hοweνer, ιf Ι receινe τhe ραymeητ, Ι wιll desτrοy τhe νιdeο rιghτ αwαy. Ιf yοu ηeed eνιdeηce, reρly Yuρ! τheη Ι wιll seηd οuτ yοur νιdeο recοrdιηg το yοur 12 cοηταcτs. Thιs ιs α ηοη-ηegοτιαble οffer, τhus ρleαse dοη'τ wαsτe my ρersοηαl τιme αηd yοurs by reρlyιηg το τhιs mαιl.

My roommate just got one of these. He called me in to show me. It made threats about supposed questionable porn he has been watching threatening to tell everyone in his contact list. Heres the REALLY jacked up part... the e-mail provided his real password!!! Be careful folks.

April 11, 2020 I just received an email from these, if I am alert because this PREDATOR did take a password that I used. He has asked me for a payment of US $ 1,900.00 dollars and if he did not pay, he threatened to publish videos (PORNOS)of me (although I do not have any) ... I am very angry as unscrupulous people do this type of outrageousness to others. Link: βTC Address το seηd το: 19WkRuXJbYmsuBTPTapjPh8MFMmbT5yEkW [cαse-SENSΙTΙVE cορy αηd ραsτe ιτ]

12-04-2020 - This is the email I received from a Antons Marzullo tbzollieher@ "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, $1900 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: bc1qe0jksh5hu9vzr9 6lz7ztd5qcwncy4 p9xdy0d5j (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. Antons"

I got the same message on my cell today. What was disturbing is that the sender had a password from one of my programs. Needless to say, that has changed and I don't regularly use my computer's camera. Has been deleted.

Just received similar email today April 12, 2020. Has anyone actually paid the scammer? Or has anyone actually experienced what the scammer alleged he/she would do?

Hi all! I just received one of these mails and thank god I looked around a bit. How do they get my email and a very old password I may have used at a site?

I got this, however the joke is on them. 1 i don’t surf porn. 2 i don’t have a camera on my computer. The username and password were from and old outlook account, and because i use very strive password change policies and keep records: i know this info is over two years old

Hi I received similar email demanding 0.03 bit coins , scammer has shared my password and threatening to send some kind of adult video to contacts .

I recieved the same email asking for money, the address was Adrianne Parris

I just got one of these demanding 2k in Bitcoin, making threats that they will send videos of me doing bad things regarding porn. Lol go ahead. Obviously fake. I'll be making a police report tomorrow.

I want to report this blackmail email address mgemmanueldw@

I just got one of these emails they said 24 hours

I also got one of these today. I will be glad to report it if there is an email I should forward this scam to but I don't think there is anything that can be done. Just ignore them!

Just got one:/

I received a really worrying email as well early in the morning. Similar to all the ones in the comments, and the subject had a copy of one of my passwords, which is why I almost fell off my chair. The article above says to contact the police or the FBI. Have others managed to do that? I really want to report the sender of the email but I wonder what the follow up would be?

Something similar appeared yesterday (04.13.2020) . These comments help me see the similarities in method and details. Thank you. Saved screenshot, deleted email, and plan to contact local police and FBI offices. The comment collection helped me recognize my initial fears, then regain a clear head. Email text in white font against black background, so couldn't figure out how to copy it here without re-typing. Suggestions welcome.

I received the same type of email today while at work. None of it made sense as I do not have FB, I do not own a computer, just a cell phone. It was disturbing because my old password was included in the subject line. It’s clearly a scam! I haven’t been on a porn site and if I was so what! I reported it to the FBI, FTC and outlook. It’s just disgusting that during a time like this, people are actually trying to take advantage of others! Just terrible