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Fraud Friday: Sextortion scams

You receive an unsolicited email with the subject line having a password of yours. The email will read that they have recorded or have evidence of you visiting adult websites
sexting AdobeStock_126247277 2017
File photo

NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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Today's 'Fraud Friday' is about sextortion scams. There are variations on the information you will be told, but the scam has multiple motivations and ways that a person is scammed.

How it works

You receive an unsolicited email with the subject line having a password of yours. The email will read that they have recorded or have evidence of you visiting adult websites.

The sender may also say they have hacked your computer, installed malware and recorded video of you through your webcam. The sender will threaten to reveal the video on public sites or send them to your personal contacts if you do not send them money and/or Bitcoin.

In all likelihood the password will be one of yours, but obtained from one of the many data breaches (Yahoo, eBay, LinkedIn, etc.) and the scammers are attempting to scare money out of you.

Warning signs - How to protect yourself

  • Never send money to an individual you do not know.
  • Be very wary of messages that seem alarmingly urgent or require immediate response/action.
  • Do not click on any attachments; they can contain viruses and spyware.
  • Always question urgent requests for money.
  • Do not forward or transfer money to people you do not know.
  • Never provide personal or banking information to someone you do not know on the phone, text or email.
  • Conduct open source searches (i.e. Google) to see if anybody has received a similar email suggesting it is a scam.

If you think you have been a victimof a scam, contact your financial institution immediately and local police.  You can also report it online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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