Islanders being targeted in adult websites scam

They are demanding a payment in bitcoin having obtained a user’s password details.

Guernsey Economic Crime Division has described the hackers as using ‘fear and panic’ to try and trick people into paying up.

The scam works through claiming to have placed spyware onto a computer to record someone watching adult material by secretly turning on the device’s webcam.

The difference between this scam and similar ones is that the email tends to include the recipient’s real password, thought to have been obtained via an old data breach.

The scammers then threaten to send the video to that person’s contacts if they do not transfer them thousands of pounds worth of bitcoin, a digital currency.

Although it is possible to sneak this kind of malware onto a computer, it is much easier for the scammers to lie about the obtained footage, playing on the fears of the recipient.

An unknown number of these emails have been sent, but there have been 110 cases reported to Action Fraud in the UK and six now in Guernsey, with similar cases recorded in Australia and the US.

A spokesperson for the Guernsey Economic Crime Division said they are not aware of residents being caught out by the scam or making the requested payment.

‘We have received six reports so far,’ they said. ‘It is impossible to say how many emails have been sent but people on the mainland have also been affected.

‘The sender of the emails purports to have installed software on the adult site which gave access to the webcam and filmed the recipient while they watched graphic content.

‘It then threatens to send out the footage to all of the recipient’s contacts if the ransom is not paid to the bitcoin wallet address.

‘It is highly unlikely that the sender has any such footage, but the intention is to strike fear and panic in the recipient should they have ever visited such a site.’

National fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, Action Fraud, has released an example email on their website.

Although the emails vary in content the example reads: ‘I’m aware, XXXXXX is your password. You don’t know me and you’re probably thinking why you are getting this mail, right?

‘Well, I actually placed a malware on the adult video clips website and guess what, you visited this website to experience fun (you know what I mean).

‘While you were watching video clips, your internet browser started out working as a RDP (Remote Desktop) with a key logger which gave me access to your display screen as well as web camera.

‘Just after that, my software program gathered every one of your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, and email.

‘I made a double-screen video.

‘First part shows the video you were watching (you have a nice taste omg), and 2nd part displays the recording of your webcam.

‘Well, I believe, $2900 is a fair price tag for our little secret.

‘You’ll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google).

‘Important: You now have one day to make the payment. (I have a special pixel within this email message, and now I know that you have read this email).

‘If I do not receive the Bitcoins, I will definitely send out your video recording to all of your contacts including close relatives, co-workers, and many others.

‘Nevertheless, if I receive the payment, I’ll destroy the video immediately.

‘If you need evidence, reply with “Yes!” and I will send your video to your 10 friends.

‘It is a non-negotiable offer, therefore do not waste my time and yours by responding to this message.’