Another version of the “ATTENTION! You are screwed now” scam is currently circling the web. The subject line used by the scammer this time is “IMPORTANT! You have been recorded ʍasturbating! I have [email’s name].mp4!”.
The purpose remains the same – to persuade the user to transfer a large amount of money to the scammer’s Bitcoin address. The amount is 2,000 USD, or 0.396902 Bitcoin.
The new version of the scam is written more aggressively, and the scammer is claiming that he has recorded “the act
of your ʍasturbation”. Note that the scammer is using different fonts for several letters in specific words, and it’s likely this is done to bypass spam filters.
Here’s how the scam email looks like:
Here is the full text of the scam:
ATTN: [recipient’s email address] Hi there,
The last time you visited a Ƿorn website with teenagers,
you downloaded and installed the vίruş I developed.
My program has turned on your cam and recorded the act
of your ʍasturbation..
My software also downloaded all your email contact lίsts
and a list of your friends on Facebook.
I have the – [name].mp4 – with you jerkίng
off to teens, as well as a file with all your contacts
on my computer.
You are very Ƿerverted!
If you want me to delete both files and keep the secret,
you must send me the Bitcoin payment.
I give you 72 hours only to transfer the funds.
If you don’t know how to pay with Bitcoin,
visit Google and search – how to buy bitcoin.
Send 2,000 USD (0.396902 BTC)
to this Bitcoin address as soon as possible:
346jJVZDv66prrvZET1aM73K6vcKPfufTM
(copy and paste)
1 BTC = 5,130 USD right now, so send exactly 0.396902 BTC
to the address above.
Do not try to cheat me!
As soon as you open this Email I will know you opened it.
I am tracking all actions on your device..
This Bitcoin address is linked to you only,
so I will know when you send the correct amount.
When you pay in full, I will remove both files and deactivate
my program.If you choose to not send the transfer…
I will send your ʍasturbation vίdeo to
ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES from your
contact lists that I hacked.Here are the payment details again:
Send 2,000 USD (0.396902 BTC)
to this Bitcoin address:
***********************************************
346jJVZDv66prrvZET1aM73K6vcKPfufTM
(copy and paste)
***********************************************
You саn visit police but nobody can help you.
I know what I am doing.
I don’t live in your country and I know how
to stay anonymous.
Don’t try to deceive me – I will know it
immediately – my spy software is recording all the
websites you visit and all your key presses.
If you do – I will send this ugly vίd to everyone you know,
INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS.
Don’t cheat me! Don’t forget the shame and if you ignore
this message your life will be ruined.
I am waiting for your Bitcoin payment.
You have 72 hours left.
Anonymous Hacker
P.S. If you need more time to buy and send BTC,
open your notepad and write ’48h more’.
This way you can contact me.
I will consider giving you another 48 hours
before I release the vίd, but only when I see that
you are really struggling to buy bitcoin.
I KNOW you can afford it – so don’t play around…
Why Have You Received “IMPORTANT! You have been recorded ʍasturbating!” Scam Email?
These scams are examples of evolving spam campaigns. The highly personalized approach in recent sextortion shows that spam operators are looking for more efficient ways to monetize their attempts. Even though payments are not as likely as in ransomware extortion, the cost of spam is essentially zero and a few payments would still be enough to motivate further spam campaigns.
As for the technical reasons of your inbox being flooded with such unpleasant and aggressive messages, there are several options. You can refer to our detailed article [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/4-reasons-receive-sextortion-email-scams/”] 4 Reasons Why You Receive Sextortion and Other Email Scams for further details. Shortly said, your email address may have been breached, spoofed, or harvested, and then added to spam lists.
A simple solution
Since all recent extortion-based scams are relying on purported recordings of the recipient watching adult content, simply cover up your laptop’s camera. This may sound silly but knowing that your camera is covered leaves no place for you to worry, regardless of the scammer’s claims.
Another simple thing you can do to avoid email harvesting is the so-called email address munging, or simply changing the “@” sign into “at” and the “.” into “dot”. This is especially valid for individuals with business emails that are visible to the entire internet.
And once again, no matter how persuasive the email you received sounds, don’t fall for it because it is a scam.
If you receive a bogus email that you believe is a scam, you can send us a word using our website contact form, comment section or on our Facebook or Twitter page.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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