How to avoid a Bitcoin blackmail scam

I received a similar email today. The wording is a little different. Also, I have covered my webcam for years: Pay $1000 in bitcoin to the beneath address (remove***from it): bc1***q6vnrde2h a6qy090yzdw4whd txfytd2g4x0kgwg You could be wondering why the heck would you do that? Well, prepare yourself because I am going to tremble your entire world right now. I had a serious adware and spyware infect your personal computer as well as record video of YOU (using your webcam) when you looked at 'adult' sites. Here is one of your own pass word ******** Still don't believe me? Reply 7 and I'll be randomly share your video clip with 7 people you know (Yes, We've access to your address book also). At this point, what do I want to make this entire thing vanish? Very well, I have already described the particular offer in starting of the e-mail. If you dont fulfill it within Twenty-four hours, I most certainly will create your life horrible by sending that video to Everyone you know. Your time frame begins right now.

I received the exact same one!! I did visit a site or two but the password mentioned was from years ago. Should I just ignore it? I don’t have a webcam

I just received one today! Mine started with a voice message that was left on my cell phone. The message sounded legit as if the caller was leaving an important message to someone named John..so I thought I would be nice and call back to let them know they have the wrong phone number. Well today they tried calling again and it went to my voice mail again...well I clicked the link and it must of triggered the "Security Breach" email about visiting the porn site.

I’m only 16 and I am getting the same thing as everyone else and my school confronted me about it because it’s on their computers and every time I read it it makes my stomach turn. How could I get rid of these

I have also received multiple emails like the one above. Very upsetting even though I have never been to a porn site and do not have a visible webcam. They do get your attention by using an old password. Some of them have used a password that I have never used but could have. I tried to report this to my local police and they were not interested.

Had you given the ransom for this. And the blackmailer did anything as he wrote

I have just received one of these too, also from an outlook account. Horrible to receive even though you know it’s not true! I’ve changed all my passwords to be on the safe side as well.

I just got the same email!! Jokes on them because I have NO money to give! It is kind of crazy that they were able to get my iPhone passcode, though...what info do they have access to with that now? Are they able to see everything I type? I suppose paranoia has set in!

I’ve received a couple of these emails. In the subject line was an old password that I used on MySpace over 15 years ago. The hacker claimed to have hacked MySpace and gotten passwords from the site. I deleted my account years ago.

I've also just started seeing these extortion attempts for $950 or so in bitcoin, with one of my old passwords in the subject header and the chestnut about me watching porn. I knew it was fake because I don't have any interest in porn (and so what if I did) and my camera on my 'puter is covered up, but the password was real - it was just a really old one. A few months back, I got a notification someone had logged in as me from Mexico and then Venezuela on some EA gaming site, I believe. I didn't even remember having that account (it was probably a one-time login I created for some fleeting reason), but when I tried to log in and check it out, that was the same password the account took. So, that might be the hack these are derived from. Or maybe it's the Yahoo hack someone else mentioned. I think I used to use that password for Yahoo a long time ago, too.

thats the exact same email I got and it freaked me out cuz I was so stunned as to thinking somebody stole my old password and hacked my phone? it took me a few minutes to settle down and do a search online and found this site and I finally calmed down. I was worried they were going to make up some fake video and send it out! I cant believe a scam like this can happen.

I received the same email, but the BTC address was 1DrThpxYV7JtvrVkneuJMYtn8Fik8efSwn. Same 48 hour threat to pay.

I received almost the exact same email letter and I immediately sent a complaint to the FB with a copy of the threatening email letter!!! I wonder if the FBI will contact me back?

I got the exact e-mail. In fact I've gotten several since 10/31/2018. A couple were even sent from my address to my address so I've changed the password. I didn't see the first one immediately because I never checked my spam folder then, but was expecting an e-mail somebody told me might go in there. I just got this one, which I'm sure isn't from the first person I know from him getting into my iPad for the third time and even taking a picture of me with my camera, another invasion of privacy. I loved my iPad since I'm visually impaired and everything on it is much larger, but I'm giving up on using a device I paid over $300 for so he'll hopefully eave me alone. This is the first one who's ever given an e-mail address that probably isn't theirs, but somebody's they've hacked into so I won't give it. I'm x-ing out the pw even though it wasn't mine, but the one the first person claimed they'd changed it to before they changed it back. I figure he sold my e-mail address to other scum like him. Mar 16 at 4:20 PM I do know xxxxxxxxxx is your passwords. Lets get directly to the purpose. Nobody has compensated me to investigate you. You do not know me and you are probably wondering why you are getting this mail? in fact, i actually installed a malware on the X video clips (sex sites) site and there's more, you visited this site to have fun (you know what i mean). When you were viewing videos, your internet browser initiated working as a Remote Desktop that has a keylogger which gave me accessibility to your display screen and cam. after that, my software program gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, social networks, and e-mailaccount. after that i created a double video. First part displays the video you were viewing (you've got a good taste : )), and next part displays the recording of your web cam, & it is u. You have only 2 possibilities. Lets read each one of these options in details: First choice is to disregard this email. Then, i most certainly will send your very own tape to almost all of your personal contacts and thus think regarding the disgrace that you receive. Furthermore if you are in a romance, precisely how it will affect? Number 2 solution should be to pay me USD 988. We will think of it as a donation. Consequently, i most certainly will asap discard your video recording. You will continue your life like this never happened and you would never hear back again from me. You will make the payment through Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for 'how to buy bitcoin' in Google search engine). BTC address to send to: 1ELzee2T9Wd5YPTYhWbWD3xK7xB5tJ94J4 [CaSe-SeNSiTiVe copy and paste it] in case you are thinking about going to the authorities, surely, this mail can not be traced back to me. I have dealt with my moves. i am also not looking to ask you for a whole lot, i prefer to be paid for messages and if i don't receive the bitcoin, i definitely will send your video to all of your contacts including relatives, colleagues, and so forth. Nonetheless, if i do get paid, i will destroy the recording immediately. If you want to have proof, reply with Yeah! then i will send your video recording to your 14 friends. This is the non:negotiable offer, therefore do not waste mine time & yours by replying to this email.

I received virtually the same email that you did, though the Bitcoin address was different, and the password was "password" (which I've never used). It is disconcerting. I'm a senior woman who has never gone to a porn site. Plus, I use a desktop, and my camera/mike is plugged in only when it is in use...very rarely. I have no intention of sending the scammer any Bitcoin.

I found that exact email in my junk mail today. Also had threats of read receipt so would know when it was read. Also not to copy or notify anyone. I just deleted but will send to FBI if receive anything else.