Here is some information to check to understand that it is a scam.
A particularly worrying new scam is claiming more and more victims. Exploiting anxieties linked to personal security and privacy, it uses new methods: disclosure of confidential information, distribution of photos and private addresses… Under the threat of making this sensitive data public, the crooks manage to extort large sums of money.
First, the scheme begins with the receipt of an email that appears, at first glance, credible. The latter most often includes a photo of your house, taken from online services such as Google Maps. This type of content thus eliminates doubts about the veracity of the threat, because the address and the image correspond to the victim’s home. Jamie Beckland was one of the people to receive the email in question: “I received a PDF via email that included my address and a photo of the address as well as scandalous claims about my private behavior. They also claimed to have video documentation captured by spyware on my computer.”he told HuffPost, before adding: “The scammer threatened to post the video if I didn’t pay them in Bitcoin.”
Instead of panicking, it is essential to carefully examine several elements of the email. It is firstly advisable to check the sender’s email address to ensure that it is not spoofed or falsified. Scammers often use addresses similar to legitimate domains, but with small variations that can easily go unnoticed. Next, you need to be vigilant for spelling mistakes or awkward formatting of the email: common signs of phishing attempts. Another tip is to check if the image of your house matches those available on Google Maps or other public services. If so, it’s likely that the scammer simply grabbed these images online.
Furthermore, it is imperative to never respond to this type of message or click on the links sent. These could install real malware or try to extort additional information from you. If an email asks for payment via Bitcoin or other untraceable payment methods, that’s another obvious criterion that it’s fraud. Finally, it is strongly recommended to report these attempts to the competent authorities to prevent other people from becoming victims. In short, you will have understood, stay vigilant.
