That's a very generous offer, especially when the victim didn't have any such materials...
A new fraud scheme of the "sextortion" type has been discovered online, where attackers disguised as representatives of the popular adult site YouPorn claim that they have a compromising video with the recipient of the email, and offer paid services to delete it.
Sextortion is a digital extortion scheme in which criminals use phishing emails or fake social media profiles to trick potential victims into sharing explicit videos or images that can later be used for blackmail.
Sexual materials can be obtained either voluntarily, if the fraudster pretended to be a "prince on a white horse", or also in the form of extortion, when the attacker has some other compromising information about the victim.
In an email from "[email protected]" it is claimed that the incriminating video will be published within a week if no action is taken. The email contains a link to delete the video for free, but it doesn't work and redirects you to the browser's home page.
Of course, scammers also offer paid video removal options: from $199 to $1,399. Each option offers different levels of protection, including collecting published content and automatically deleting videos from partner sites.
"Our plan A includes everything that is included in the basic deletion option, plus content fingerprinting, automatic deletion, and video re-upload protection to our extensive network of partner websites (over 300) for one year, all for $699," the email reads.
Victims are asked to pay for" content removal services " in bitcoins. Out of the 10 examples of emails viewed, scammers currently use 2 Bitcoin addresses. So far, none of the transactions have been completed.
Part of a fake email sent by YouPorn
Be vigilant!
There is no video featuring email recipients on the YouPorn site. You should not make payments to the specified Bitcoin addresses or interact with such emails at all. If you encounter a similar situation, just delete the message. Despite the threats, this is just an attempt to deceive.
If you receive such an email, just delete it. Despite what the threats sound like, this is just a scam. Similar sectorization schemes brought attackers more than $50,000 a week when they first appeared in 2018. Therefore, it is important to be alert and not give in to threats.
In June, the FBI issued a warning that reported numerous complaints about increased sextortion. Representatives of the FBI explained that any image published on the Internet can potentially be used by criminals for their nefarious purposes, and therefore it is recommended to carefully monitor your online activity, as well as the activity of close relatives, especially children, discussing with them any potential risks.
In addition, in April, the FBI announced the expansion of commercial organizations in the United States that offer paid assistance to victims of sextortion. Organizations use a variety of deceptive tactics to persuade their victims to pay for services that are usually provided free of charge by various nonprofit agencies and law enforcement agencies. Or even better, they invent their own services aimed at eliminating the consequences of sextortion.
A new fraud scheme of the "sextortion" type has been discovered online, where attackers disguised as representatives of the popular adult site YouPorn claim that they have a compromising video with the recipient of the email, and offer paid services to delete it.
Sextortion is a digital extortion scheme in which criminals use phishing emails or fake social media profiles to trick potential victims into sharing explicit videos or images that can later be used for blackmail.
Sexual materials can be obtained either voluntarily, if the fraudster pretended to be a "prince on a white horse", or also in the form of extortion, when the attacker has some other compromising information about the victim.
In an email from "[email protected]" it is claimed that the incriminating video will be published within a week if no action is taken. The email contains a link to delete the video for free, but it doesn't work and redirects you to the browser's home page.
Of course, scammers also offer paid video removal options: from $199 to $1,399. Each option offers different levels of protection, including collecting published content and automatically deleting videos from partner sites.
"Our plan A includes everything that is included in the basic deletion option, plus content fingerprinting, automatic deletion, and video re-upload protection to our extensive network of partner websites (over 300) for one year, all for $699," the email reads.
Victims are asked to pay for" content removal services " in bitcoins. Out of the 10 examples of emails viewed, scammers currently use 2 Bitcoin addresses. So far, none of the transactions have been completed.
Part of a fake email sent by YouPorn
Be vigilant!
There is no video featuring email recipients on the YouPorn site. You should not make payments to the specified Bitcoin addresses or interact with such emails at all. If you encounter a similar situation, just delete the message. Despite the threats, this is just an attempt to deceive.
If you receive such an email, just delete it. Despite what the threats sound like, this is just a scam. Similar sectorization schemes brought attackers more than $50,000 a week when they first appeared in 2018. Therefore, it is important to be alert and not give in to threats.
In June, the FBI issued a warning that reported numerous complaints about increased sextortion. Representatives of the FBI explained that any image published on the Internet can potentially be used by criminals for their nefarious purposes, and therefore it is recommended to carefully monitor your online activity, as well as the activity of close relatives, especially children, discussing with them any potential risks.
In addition, in April, the FBI announced the expansion of commercial organizations in the United States that offer paid assistance to victims of sextortion. Organizations use a variety of deceptive tactics to persuade their victims to pay for services that are usually provided free of charge by various nonprofit agencies and law enforcement agencies. Or even better, they invent their own services aimed at eliminating the consequences of sextortion.
