The IT Nerd

This is getting ridiculous.

Another new email extortion Phishing email scam has appeared. Like the last six extortion phishing scams that I told you about in the last few months, this one again plays on the fact that you might have surfed for porn and that you might of done something else related to that. In other words, it is playing on your guilt about doing things that you perhaps should not be doing. Here’s the text of the latest scam email that I came across:

Hello!

I’m a hacker who cracked your email and device a few months ago.
You entered a password on one of the sites you visited, and I intercepted it.
This is your password from [Email redacted] on moment of hack: [Password Redacted]

Of course you can will change it, or already changed it.
But it doesn’t matter, my malware updated it every time.

Do not try to contact me or find me, it is impossible, since I sent you an email from your account.

Through your email, I uploaded malicious code to your Operation System.
I saved all of your contacts with friends, colleagues, relatives and a complete history of visits to the Internet resources.
Also I installed a Trojan on your device and long tome spying for you.

You are not my only victim, I usually lock computers and ask for a ransom.
But I was struck by the sites of intimate content that you often visit.

I am in shock of your fantasies! I’ve never seen anything like this!

So, when you had fun on piquant sites (you know what I mean!)
I made screenshot with using my program from your camera of yours device.
After that, I combined them to the content of the currently viewed site.

There will be laughter when I send these photos to your contacts!
BUT I’m sure you don’t want it.

Therefore, I expect payment from you for my silence.
I think $896 is an acceptable price for it!

Pay with Bitcoin.
My BTC wallet: [BTC Wallet Address Redacted]
If you do not know how to do this – enter into Google “how to transfer money to a bitcoin wallet”. It is not difficult.
After receiving the specified amount, all your data will be immediately destroyed automatically. My virus will also remove itself from your operating system.

My Trojan have auto alert, after this email is read, I will be know it!

I give you 2 days (48 hours) to make a payment.
If this does not happen – all your contacts will get crazy shots from your dark secret life!
And so that you do not obstruct, your device will be blocked (also after 48 hours)

Do not be silly!
Police or friends won’t help you for sure …

p.s. I can give you advice for the future. Do not enter your passwords on unsafe sites.

I hope for your prudence.
Farewell.

Let me be clear. THIS IS A SCAM. Here’s why:

1. Yes they have a password. But it’s likely a password that is gained via a data breach.  You can figure which data breach by going to haveibeenpwned.com and typing in your email address. And in the case of the person who got this email, it was an old password. That’s what tipped them off that it was fake.
2. They claim to have uploaded malware to your system. If you have up to date and functioning anti-virus software, that will be a non-issue. But of course, they’re lying about that. But if you’re unsure, have a computer professional look over your system.
3. They tell you changing your password will have no effect. That’s a lie. I strongly recommend that as a preventive measure that you change all your password so that you can spot these scams easily.
4. They claim to have pictures of you. Well, they don’t. But if you’re really paranoid about the possibility of that happening, cover up your webcam and disable your microphone.
5. They want you to pay up. Well, seeing as they have nothing on you, why should you pay them one red cent? You shouldn’t because they are scum. And scum don’t deserve to get paid for this sort of behavior.
6. They claim that the police can’t help you. Reporting scams to your local authorities is always a good idea. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has a website for fielding complaints, while the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center is the place to go if you’re in Canada.

The bottom line is this. Like I said earlier, the people behind these scams are scum. Don’t reward scum for running a scam like this. Never, ever pay up. And by taking the precautions that I mentioned above will ensure that you never are a victim. And for the record, I will continue to shine a light on these scumbags as they are like cockroaches who hate the light.