Area residents are being warned about a highly disturbing email they may receive as part of a scam.
The email alleges that the sender has been watching the person via their computer camera and has captured embarrassing video of him or her. It makes reference to catching sexual acts on video and claims that spyware activated the person’s computer camera.
“Hey, you do not know me personally,” the email reads. “However I know just about everything concerning you. Your Facebook contact list, phone contacts as well as all the digital activity on your computer from (the) past 114 days.”
The scam email demands “complete attention” for the next 24 hours.
“Or I will make sure that you live out of embarrassment for the rest of your life span,” the email says.
The email goes on to threaten to send the damaging video clip to six people on the person’s contact list.
“My software will randomly choose the contacts,” the email says. “Would you be able to gaze into anyone’s eyes again after it? I question that.”
The email then instructs the receiver to purchase $2,000 in Bitcoins and send it to an address that’s included. It also makes another threat.
“Your time begins as quickly as you go through this email,” it reads, adding that a computer program will alert the scammer as soon as you read the document. “Therefore, don’t attempt to act smart.”
Sheriff’s officials say the best thing to do if you receive this email is to delete it immediately and don’t send any kind of funds. They say it’s highly unlikely that these scammers are prosecutable, as they are almost always outside of the U.S.
Sheriff’s officials also are encouraging those who receive the email to change their passwords immediately. And for those who are concerned about webcams on their devices, simply place a piece of tape over them to prevent unexpected video capture.
