Old Scam, New Tech

BAY COUNTY, FL - The scam begins with an email informing the intended victim they have been “caught” watching inappropriate material on websites on which the scammer has placed malware. According to the scammer, this malware enables them to observe and record the victim using the microphone and camera on the victim’s computer as the victim watches the website and obtain all contact information. The scammer threatens to release this video of the victim to every contact on the victim’s computer.

Unless, of course, the victim pays the scammer using bitcoin. Then the video will never see the light of day, because, as the scammer states in the email, they are “a person of integrity”. Attached to the email is a picture of the victim’s neighborhood obtained using Google Earth.

Sheriff Ford urges anyone receiving this email to delete it and disregard. Do NOT send any money. This is an old scam using a new form of payment-bitcoin-which can’t be traced. The use of Google Earth photos is also a new, and often frightening, twist to this old scam.

“Personal information, including home and email addresses, is often sold on the internet and used in scams like this,” Sheriff Ford said. “Educating the public is the best way to fight scams so please, if you get this email, delete it, and share what you know with family and friends.”

If you are victimized in any scam, please call the BCSO at 850-747-4700 to report it. Every effort will be made to help you.