No doubt that you reached this page because you received an email telling you that some “hacker” gained access to your computer, email address, and made recordings of you enjoying some solo carnal pleasures. Ignore it. Delete it. It’s a scam!
Did someone really hack into my email?
No, they didn’t. This was a normal email sent to your address, like anyone else would send an email. Due to the nature of emails, the “From” field of an email can be spoofed so it might look like the email was sent from your own account.
Does someone have recordings of me?
Probably not, no. This is a typical psychological and statistical trick where there is a good probability that someone who receives this email did engage in pleasurable acts and so might immediately start panicking. If your system was really hacked, the “hacker” should be able to provide some proof in the first place.
What do I do now?
First of all, do not panic. This email is a scam. If it will make you feel safer, you can reset your email account’s password. But, most of all, do not pay anything.
Do people actually fall for this?
Unfortunately yes :( This email normally has a bitcoin wallet where you pay the ransom. If you look at the balance of the wallet (using a tool such as BitRef) you will most likely find several “deposits” into the wallet around the time and for same value as was demanded from the email.
What else can I do?
Once you have deleted the email, tell your friends and family about it. While it’s very easy to mock victims of a scam, rather share awareness about this scam.
Example of this scam email
Hello there!
Unfortunately, there are some bad news for you.
Around several months ago I have obtained access to your devices that you were using to browse internet.
Subsequently, I have proceeded with tracking down internet activities of yours.
Below, is the sequence of past events:
In the past, I have bought access from hackers to numerous email accounts (today, that is a very straightforward task that can be done online).
Clearly, I have effortlessly logged in to email account of yours ([email redacted -FB]).
A week after that, I have managed to install Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all your devices that are used for email access.
Actually, that was quite simple (because you were clicking the links in inbox emails).
All smart things are quite straightforward. (>_<)
The software of mine allows me to access to all controllers in your devices, such as video camera, microphone and keyboard.
I have managed to download all your personal data, as well as web browsing history and photos to my servers.
I can access all messengers of yours, as well as emails, social networks, contacts list and even chat history.
My virus unceasingly refreshes its signatures (since it is driver-based), and hereby stays invisible for your antivirus.
So, by now you should already understand the reason why I remained unnoticed until this very moment...
While collecting your information, I have found out that you are also a huge fan of websites for adults.
You truly enjoy checking out porn websites and watching dirty videos, while having a lot of kinky fun.
I have recorded several kinky scenes of yours and montaged some videos, where you reach orgasms while passionately masturbating.
If you still doubt my serious intentions, it only takes couple mouse clicks to share your videos with your friends, relatives and even colleagues.
It is also not a problem for me to allow those vids for access of public as well.
I truly believe, you would not want this to occur, understanding how special are the videos you love watching, (you are clearly aware of that) all that stuff can result in a real disaster for you.
Let's resolve it like this:
All you need is $1350 USD transfer to my account (bitcoin equivalent based on exchange rate during your transfer), and after the transaction is successful, I will proceed to delete all that kinky stuff without delay.
Afterwards, we can pretend that we have never met before. In addition, I assure you that all the harmful software will be deleted from all your devices. Be sure, I keep my promises.
That is quite a fair deal with a low price, bearing in mind that I have spent a lot of effort to go through your profile and traffic for a long period.
If you are unaware how to buy and send bitcoins - it can be easily fixed by searching all related information online.
Below is bitcoin wallet of mine: [bitcoin wallet removed -FB]
You are given not more than 48 hours after you have opened this email (2 days to be precise).
Below is the list of actions that you should not attempt doing:
> Do not attempt to reply my email (the email in your inbox was created by me together with return address).
> Do not attempt to call police or any other security services. Moreover, don't even think to share this with friends of yours. Once I find that out (make no doubt about it, I can do that effortlessly, bearing in mind that I have full control over all your systems) - the video of yours will become available to public immediately.
> Do not attempt to search for me - there is completely no point in that. All cryptocurrency transactions remain anonymous at all times.
> Do not attempt reinstalling the OS on devices of yours or get rid of them. It is meaningless too, because all your videos are already available at remote servers.
Below is the list of things you don't need to be concerned about:
> That I will not receive the money you transferred.
- Don't you worry, I can still track it, after the transaction is successfully completed, because I still monitor all your activities (trojan virus of mine includes a remote-control option, just like TeamViewer).
> That I still will make your videos available to public after your money transfer is complete.
- Believe me, it is meaningless for me to keep on making your life complicated. If I indeed wanted to make it happen, it would happen long time ago!
Everything will be carried out based on fairness!
Before I forget...moving forward try not to get involved in this kind of situations anymore!
An advice from me - regularly change all the passwords to your accounts.
Unfortunately, there are some bad news for you.
Around several months ago I have obtained access to your devices that you were using to browse internet.
Subsequently, I have proceeded with tracking down internet activities of yours.
Below, is the sequence of past events:
In the past, I have bought access from hackers to numerous email accounts (today, that is a very straightforward task that can be done online).
Clearly, I have effortlessly logged in to email account of yours ([email redacted -FB]).
A week after that, I have managed to install Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all your devices that are used for email access.
Actually, that was quite simple (because you were clicking the links in inbox emails).
All smart things are quite straightforward. (>_<)
The software of mine allows me to access to all controllers in your devices, such as video camera, microphone and keyboard.
I have managed to download all your personal data, as well as web browsing history and photos to my servers.
I can access all messengers of yours, as well as emails, social networks, contacts list and even chat history.
My virus unceasingly refreshes its signatures (since it is driver-based), and hereby stays invisible for your antivirus.
So, by now you should already understand the reason why I remained unnoticed until this very moment...
While collecting your information, I have found out that you are also a huge fan of websites for adults.
You truly enjoy checking out porn websites and watching dirty videos, while having a lot of kinky fun.
I have recorded several kinky scenes of yours and montaged some videos, where you reach orgasms while passionately masturbating.
If you still doubt my serious intentions, it only takes couple mouse clicks to share your videos with your friends, relatives and even colleagues.
It is also not a problem for me to allow those vids for access of public as well.
I truly believe, you would not want this to occur, understanding how special are the videos you love watching, (you are clearly aware of that) all that stuff can result in a real disaster for you.
Let's resolve it like this:
All you need is $1350 USD transfer to my account (bitcoin equivalent based on exchange rate during your transfer), and after the transaction is successful, I will proceed to delete all that kinky stuff without delay.
Afterwards, we can pretend that we have never met before. In addition, I assure you that all the harmful software will be deleted from all your devices. Be sure, I keep my promises.
That is quite a fair deal with a low price, bearing in mind that I have spent a lot of effort to go through your profile and traffic for a long period.
If you are unaware how to buy and send bitcoins - it can be easily fixed by searching all related information online.
Below is bitcoin wallet of mine: [bitcoin wallet removed -FB]
You are given not more than 48 hours after you have opened this email (2 days to be precise).
Below is the list of actions that you should not attempt doing:
> Do not attempt to reply my email (the email in your inbox was created by me together with return address).
> Do not attempt to call police or any other security services. Moreover, don't even think to share this with friends of yours. Once I find that out (make no doubt about it, I can do that effortlessly, bearing in mind that I have full control over all your systems) - the video of yours will become available to public immediately.
> Do not attempt to search for me - there is completely no point in that. All cryptocurrency transactions remain anonymous at all times.
> Do not attempt reinstalling the OS on devices of yours or get rid of them. It is meaningless too, because all your videos are already available at remote servers.
Below is the list of things you don't need to be concerned about:
> That I will not receive the money you transferred.
- Don't you worry, I can still track it, after the transaction is successfully completed, because I still monitor all your activities (trojan virus of mine includes a remote-control option, just like TeamViewer).
> That I still will make your videos available to public after your money transfer is complete.
- Believe me, it is meaningless for me to keep on making your life complicated. If I indeed wanted to make it happen, it would happen long time ago!
Everything will be carried out based on fairness!
Before I forget...moving forward try not to get involved in this kind of situations anymore!
An advice from me - regularly change all the passwords to your accounts.
Another example of this scam email
Good day. Your system has been hacked with a Trojan virus.
It has penetrated your device through adult portals which you sometimes visit. Some spicy videos contain malicious code that activates after being turned on. Your entire information has already been copied to my servers.
I possess complete control over your device which you use to access the Internet. I can see your screen, I can use a microphone and a camera in a way that you never notice anything.
I've already made a screen recording.
A video was edited with a pornographic movie that you were watching at that time and masturbating.
Your face is perfectly visible and I don’t think that this kind of content will have a positive impact on your reputation.
I have an overall access to your list of contacts and the social media profiles. I can send this video from your E-mail or the messengers.
If you don't want to let this happen, then you only need to take one simple step.
Just transfer 1200 USD (US dollars) to Bitcoin wallet: [bitcoin wallet removed -FB]
(In a Bitcoin equivalent at the exchange rate for the time of transfer)
You can find the detailed instructions in Google.
After the payment I will remove the video and the virus from your device and no one will bother you anymore. If I won’t receive the payment in due time, all of your data and the videos will become publicly available.
I give you 2 business days. I shall receive a notification that you have read the letter.
The timer starts immediately.
Any complain somewhere, including the police, is useless. My wallet and an E-mail cannot be tracked.
If I find out that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will become publicly available at once.
I will destroy your reputation forever and all your data will go public.
Everyone will learn about your passion for the porn sites and more. Changing the passwords will be useless either as all the data is already on my servers.
Don't forget that reputation is very important and be prudent!
It has penetrated your device through adult portals which you sometimes visit. Some spicy videos contain malicious code that activates after being turned on. Your entire information has already been copied to my servers.
I possess complete control over your device which you use to access the Internet. I can see your screen, I can use a microphone and a camera in a way that you never notice anything.
I've already made a screen recording.
A video was edited with a pornographic movie that you were watching at that time and masturbating.
Your face is perfectly visible and I don’t think that this kind of content will have a positive impact on your reputation.
I have an overall access to your list of contacts and the social media profiles. I can send this video from your E-mail or the messengers.
If you don't want to let this happen, then you only need to take one simple step.
Just transfer 1200 USD (US dollars) to Bitcoin wallet: [bitcoin wallet removed -FB]
(In a Bitcoin equivalent at the exchange rate for the time of transfer)
You can find the detailed instructions in Google.
After the payment I will remove the video and the virus from your device and no one will bother you anymore. If I won’t receive the payment in due time, all of your data and the videos will become publicly available.
I give you 2 business days. I shall receive a notification that you have read the letter.
The timer starts immediately.
Any complain somewhere, including the police, is useless. My wallet and an E-mail cannot be tracked.
If I find out that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will become publicly available at once.
I will destroy your reputation forever and all your data will go public.
Everyone will learn about your passion for the porn sites and more. Changing the passwords will be useless either as all the data is already on my servers.
Don't forget that reputation is very important and be prudent!