A new scam is sweeping across Oregon, using public images of people’s homes to try and extort thousands of dollars in Bitcoin from unsuspecting victims.
DO NOT RESPOND!!!
These emails contain alarming statements such as, “You’ve been treading on thin ice with your browsing habits,” or “I’ve got footage of you doing embarrassing things in your house.”
The emails seem legitimate, often including the recipient’s name, address, and even a photograph of their home—images typically pulled from sources like Google Maps Street View.
One Oregon Department of Justice employee recently received such an email, which contained her name, address, phone number, and a PDF of her house. The scammer claimed to have installed spyware on her devices and threatened to release compromising images and videos unless she sent $2,000 in Bitcoin.
It’s important to remember that these threats are empty. The compromising images and videos that scammers claim to have do not exist.
In one message, the scammer warned: “Don’t even think about replying to this, it’s pointless. I don’t make mistakes, [name]. If I suspect that you’ve shared or discussed this email with someone else, your video will instantly start getting sent to your contacts.”
While blackmail scams are nothing new, this version is far more sophisticated and terrifying. Previously, gathering personal information online took time and effort. Now, cybercriminals can quickly access details like your name, address, phone number, and photos of your home from the internet.
“If you receive one of these emails, do not respond,” warned Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.
“The last thing you want to do is communicate with a scammer. Don’t let them know your email address, phone number, or home address is correct. Do not reply, and do not pay any money. Instead, report the email to the Oregon Department of Justice at www.oregonconsumer.gov,” Rosenblum urged.