The RCMP in Manitoba have started receiving reports of a cyber-extortion scam where suspects are sending emails to victims using a real password. In fact, one of the reporters at the Virden Empire-Advance received one at her personal email address but it was automatically filtered into the junk folder.
The email says the suspect has infected the victim’s computer with a virus that has allowed the suspect to control the webcam remotely. The suspect threatens to release a video of the victim taken while they were watching pornography. If the victim pays a certain amount in Bitcoin, the suspect will not release the video.
This is a scam that has been around for a while.
The suspects do not have video of the victims, and victims should not be afraid to report this crime to the police.
Real passwords used
Bringing a new spin to an old scam is the use of an actual password the victim has used in the past. There are many ways the suspects could have gained access to these passwords – data breaches and hacking are two examples.
RCMP say if you are still using the referenced password for anything, make sure you change it immediately. It is recommended to change all passwords regularly to protect yourself from any type of hacking or scam.
You can use the website www.haveibeenpwned.com to check if your data has been breached.
If you have received this email, or any similar scams, do not pay. Report it to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
