Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to make their scams more convincing, and a persistent
email scam known as “sextortion” has taken a more personal turn. This scam, which falsely claims
hackers have footage of you in compromising situations, has now added a new scare tactic: a
photo of your home or street address, pulled from online mapping services like Google Maps.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What Is Sextortion?
The New Personal Twist
Why This Scam Works
How to Protect Yourself
What is Sextortion?
Sextortion scams typically involve threatening messages claiming that hackers have taken over your computer and recorded private videos of you using your webcam. These emails demand payment, often in Bitcoin, to prevent the release of these supposed videos to your contacts. While the hackers don’t actually have any incriminating footage, the fear of public embarrassment is enough to make some people pay up.
The New Personal Twist
The latest version of this scam goes a step further by including images of your home, making the threat feel more real. These emails often include the recipient’s name and a photo of their street or front yard, as well as a line like, “Is visiting [your address] a more convenient way to contact if you don’t take action? Nice location btw.”
This personalization is meant to increase fear and make the victim think the hacker has more information than they actually do. The scammers demand payment, usually under $2,000, payable through a QR code in the email. They claim that if you don’t pay within 24 hours, they’ll send the fake video to all of your contacts.
Why This Scam Works
Many people feel vulnerable when they see their personal information—like their name, address, and a photo of their home—presented in these emails. Even though the hackers have no real video or malware on your computer, these details make the threat seem real.
The fear of public humiliation or exposure drives many victims to comply with the ransom demands, even when there’s no actual footage involved. Scams like these prey on your emotions and the fear that something bad could happen if you don’t act quickly.
How to Protect Yourself
Even though these scams can be unnerving, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:
Don’t Panic:
These emails are designed to scare you into acting impulsively. Remember, the scammers don’t actually have any footage of you, and the photo of your house is likely from a public mapping service.
Don’t Respond or Pay:
Scammers count on you to respond in fear. Ignore the email and don’t pay the ransom—they don’t have anything to back up their threats.
Cover Your Webcam:
Scammers claim they’ve hacked into your webcam, but most of the time this isn’t true. Still, it’s good practice to cover your webcam when you’re not using it.
Don’t Open Attachments or Click Links from Unknown Senders:
Scammers sometimes include attachments in their emails. Avoid opening any attachments from people you don’t know.
Report It:
If you receive a sextortion email, report it to the FBI. They track these scams and help investigate cybercrime.
Cyber Threats Are Becoming More Personal
The addition of personalized details, like your name and address, is a reminder that cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics. Sextortion scams are no longer limited to generic threats—they now include details meant to make you feel more vulnerable. This scam is a clear example of how attackers are using publicly available information to add weight to their threats.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your business anymore—it’s about staying vigilant in your personal life as well. Scams like sextortion are spreading, and the techniques used are only becoming more sophisticated. Don’t fall for these tactics, and always be on guard when it comes to suspicious communications, such as emails or text messages, that are from unknown senders or are otherwise unexpected.