Email Extortion Using Photos of Home

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In a new twist in the email extortion scam a photo of your home is sent with the threat to send compromising photos and videos of you to your contacts. Threats like these instill great fear and worry. The scammer advises you to scan a QR code, directing you to pay with Bitcoin or provide them with access to your computer. If you do not cooperate, they threaten to share your embarrassing photos and videos to your contacts.

In today’s internet age, information is easy to obtain. To find your home, scammers search related information about you to locate your address. Then, they use mapping programs like Google Street View to capture a picture of your house—even when thousands of miles away. While using Google Street View in Vermont, I was able to view the front façade of a hotel in Italy when referencing its address.

If Google Maps or another mapping service has traveled your street, a street view picture of your home likely exists.

Additional ways this photo may be obtained is through prior real estate listings, or potentially local tax appraisals.

These e-mails are scams. If you receive one of these e-mails, DO NOT send money and do not allow remote access to your computer. Only scan QR codes of known parties.

Tips from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov):

  • NEVER send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are or who they say they are.
  • Do not open attachments from people you do not know. Links can secretly hack your electronic devices using malware to gain access to your private data, photos, and contacts, or control your web camera and microphone without your knowledge.
  • Turn off your electronic devices and web cameras when not in use.

If you are receiving email extortion threats:

  • Remember you are not alone as thousands are impacted by this scam.
  • Stop all interaction with the extortionist and do not be embarrassed or afraid to contact law enforcement.
  • File a complaint with the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

You can call CAP at 1-800-649-2424 if you need help determining if you have encountered a scam.

You can help stop scams by sharing this information with your community.

Reference:

Ic3.gov – https://www.ic3.gov/media/Y2021/PSA210902
www.icactaskforce.org/resource/RS00510153/view