A new email scam that attempts to embarrass and extort $1400 from victims is making the rounds this week.
Hackers are using the leaked and old password information of victims (or sometimes the last four digits of their phone number) to convince them that they have been able to record them watching pornography through their webcam.
The hacker then demands $1400 to keep the victim’s secret, or else the hacker will post the video publicly on the internet. While in reality no video recording exists, many are falling victim to this so-called ‘sextortion’ worldwide.
Sextortion is not a new type of online scam, but this is one of the first targeting email addresses through leaked information that is available for a price on the internet black market.
A 2016 photo of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed his in-built laptop webcam covered up by a piece of sticky tape. Whenever not in use, it is recommended that you always cover up your webcam.
Related articles:
Are you being watched?
Scam puts smartphone users at risk
New scam aimed at pensioners
