(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Manitoba RCMP are warning of a cyber-extortion scam targeting victims with the threat of releasing a video to their contacts unless they send payment.
The threat comes in the form of an email and references a real password familiar to the victim. The scammers state the victim’s computer is infected with a virus and their webcam has been enabled to catch them while watching pornography.
If a victim sends a certain amount of Bitcoin currency, the scammer promises not to send the compromising video to the victim’s email contacts.
Police say this scam has been around for a while and victims should not send payment. RCMP encourage anyone who receives the email to report it to police.
It’s recommended that you change all passwords regularly to protect yourself from any type of hacking or scam. The website haveibeenpwned.com is a resource RCMP suggest to check if your data has been breached.
A sample of the scam email can be found below.
A sample email of the scam making the rounds to dupe unsuspecting victims. (RCMP HANDOUT)
