Saanich Police are alerting the public about a concerning extortion scam that has targeted several residents.
According to multiple reports, the scam starts with an email accusing the recipient of viewing adult content online.
The scammer then claims that malware has been used to capture compromising photos or videos.
To make the threat more convincing, the email includes a Google Street View image of the recipient’s home, along with other personal details, implying that the scammer knows where the person lives.
The scammers demand a payment in Bitcoin, threatening to send the alleged images to family and friends if the recipient doesn’t comply. Fortunately, none of the individuals who reported the scam paid the ransom and instead contacted the police.
Police are urging anyone who receives similar threatening emails to report them immediately. They also recommend filing a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
To help the public protect themselves from scammers, Saanich Police have shared these safety tips:
- Report threatening messages to local police as soon as possible.
- Be wary of high-pressure intimidation tactics from fraudsters.
- Ensure that your social media profiles are set to the highest privacy settings.
- Limit the personal information you share online.
- If you believe your personal information has been compromised, contact credit bureaus like Equifax or TransUnion to flag your accounts.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited messages, especially those demanding money or making false accusations.
- Never send money under pressure or reply to threatening messages.
Police remind the public to stay vigilant and avoid engaging with scammers.
