ALBANY — The New York State Police is warning the public about a nationwide automated sextortion scam, in which scammers use victims’ email addresses to coerce payments through intimidation and threats of embarrassment.
Scammers obtain emails and other personal information, often purchased illegally on the dark web, to contact victims. They claim to have the victim’s personal information and may include a photo of the victim’s residence, along with instructions to make a payment in Bitcoin to avoid consequences.
The scammers also threaten to publicly embarrass the victim, claiming they have installed software on the victim’s phone, tablet, or computer. They allege they have access to personal accounts and are tracking the victim’s internet activity.
To pressure the victim into acting quickly, scammers often claim they possess images of the victim viewing pornographic material and threaten to send this content to all contacts within 24 to 48 hours unless a Bitcoin payment is made to delete the images.
Victims have described grainy pictures of their homes, later to appear from Google Maps or other online services. However, these claims are false—the scammers do not have access to the victim’s device or personal information.
If you receive one of these emails, do not engage with the sender or provide any personal information, such as birth dates, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, or financial details.
Victims should block the sender, delete the email, and report it through the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
If someone believes they are the victim of sextortion or identity theft, the FBI encourages them to report it by contacting their local FBI office or calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. The New York State Police or local law enforcement agencies can also assist with criminal investigations.
