Email with your password as the subject tries to scam you for Bitcoin
A new sextortion email scam is going around that sends you an email message with your password as the subject. The email message says that a hacker was able to place software on an adult streaming site that you visited and while you were watching video clips your browser started working as a remote desktop that gave the hacker access to your display and web camera.
The message then says that their software gathered all of your contacts from your messenger, Facebook, and email account and that they created a split screen video that displays the adult video you were watching and the view from your web camera.
The email message says that you have 2 options.
The first option is to ignore the email message. However, if you do so the email message claims that a video recording of you will be sent to each of your personal contacts.
The second option is to pay the scammer to have them erase your video footage.
Latter option would be to pay me $998. We will refer to it as a donation. in such a case, i will right away erase your video footage. You will keep on going everyday life like this never occurred and you will not ever hear back again from me.
Here’s a transcript of the email message:
Subject: [Your email address] – [Your password]
From: Marsiella Queen
To: [Your email address]I am well aware [Your password] one of your passphrases. Lets get right to the point. No one has compensated me to investigate you. You may not know me and you are probably wondering why you’re getting this mail?
Let me tell you, i placed a software on the adult streaming (pornographic material) website and you know what, you visited this site to have fun (you know what i mean). When you were watching video clips, your web browser initiated working as a Remote Desktop that has a keylogger which provided me with access to your display and web camera. Right after that, my software program gathered all of your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, and emailaccount. and then i created a video. 1st part displays the video you were watching (you have a nice taste haha), and next part displays the view of your web camera, yeah its u.
You get 2 options. Lets read the possibilities in aspects:
First choice is to skip this message. in this scenario, i most certainly will send out your actual video recording to each of your your personal contacts and also just consider about the awkwardness you can get. and consequently if you happen to be in a loving relationship, exactly how it would affect?
Latter option would be to pay me $998. We will refer to it as a donation. in such a case, i will right away erase your video footage. You will keep on going everyday life like this never occurred and you will not ever hear back again from me.
You will make the payment via Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for ‘how to buy bitcoin’ in Google).
BTC address: 1GBktWzzNjexG76HxasR7VSxNH57aoNqg2
[CaSe sensitive, copy & paste it]if you have been making plans for going to the law enforcement, well, this email message cannot be traced back to me. I have dealt with my actions. i am not trying to demand a huge amount, i just like to be rewarded. i’ve a unique pixel within this mail, and right now i know that you have read through this mail. You now have one day in order to pay. if i don’t receive the BitCoins, i will definitely send out your video recording to all of your contacts including close relatives, colleagues, and many others. However, if i receive the payment, i will destroy the recording immediately. if you want to have evidence, reply with Yeah! then i will send your video to your 7 contacts. This is a non:negotiable offer, thus please do not waste my time & yours by responding to this mail.
As you can see the email message might sound frightening to some people and seem real because it may show you your past or current password. However, the email message is just another sextortion scam and there have been many like it in the past.
Do not pay the scammer because no one has accessed your email account, no one placed software on your computer, and no one recorded you through your webcam. The purpose of this scam is to scare you into thinking otherwise so that you will send the scammer a payment.
Even if your device does not have a camera you will still receive a message that says they recorded you through your camera. And even if you have never visited an adult website you will still receive a message saying that you did.
The downside to receiving this email message is that your information may have been leaked online following a breach that occurred on a website like Yahoo, Adobe, LinkedIn, and Experian. Sensitive data such as your name, email address, password, and telephone number may be floating around somewhere on the dark web or someone may have been able to purchase a list that obtained your information.
To see where your information may have been leaked or which breach your information was obtained from go to https://haveibeenpwned.com/ and submit your email address. You will receive a free detailed analysis instantly.
And finally, the most important things you need to do are change your passwords and scan your computer for malware. I recommend to scan your computer for malware first, then change your passwords to ensure no one is spying on you.
Here are instructions to scan and remove malware from your computer and tips to create new secure passwords:
Scan your computer for malware
1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to scan your device and remove malicious files and potentially unwanted programs.
2. To install the program, locate and double-click the executable file you just downloaded. The file can usually be found in the Download folder.
3. Choose if this is for home or work use and click Agree and Install to begin installing Malwarebytes. Once the installation is complete, click Finish.
4. Once Malwarebytes is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button on the dashboard – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
5. When the scan is complete click the Quarantine Selected button.
6. If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.
7. Download HitmanPro to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining malicious trace files. A second-opinion scan is important when removing malware and malicious files from your computer.
8. To install the program, locate and double-click the executable file you just downloaded. The file can usually be found in the Download folder.
9. Once HitmanPro is installed, open the program and click Next to start scanning your device. *If you are using the free version you may choose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
10. When the HitmanPro scan is complete, click the Next button.
11. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
12. Click the Reboot button.
Tips to create a secure password
- Do not reuse the same password for multiple accounts. Use unique passwords wherever possible.
- Use strong passwords with numbers, letters, and special characters such as !@$#.
- Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security along with your password.
- Use a reputable password manager if you have trouble remembering multiple passwords.