We’re receiving reports of people being blackmailed as part of a ‘phishing’ scam.
Victims receive an email that looks like it’s come from their own account.
The sender claims to have installed spyware on the victim’s computers/smartphones and to have obtained incriminating sexual videos/pictures of the victim.
They threaten that unless they are paid a ransom (often demanded in Litecoin) within 48 hours, this will be shared with the victim’s contacts.
The email’s tone and content is such, that even those who recognise it as a scam are left shaken.
Don’t take the bait: Don’t panic. Don’t pay. Don’t communicate.
Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk. even if you’re not certain they’re a scam – they will be checked.
If you’ve lost money or provided financial information as a result of a phishing scam, please notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at https://orlo.uk/A4Dc4 or by calling 0300 123 2040.
As of May 2024, the number of suspicious emails reported to Action Fraud stand at over 32 million. More than 329,000 malicious websites have been removed.
You are not alone. Please see attached poster
nw-dont-panic-word-doc
