Extortion scam NRP warned about making its way around Fort Erie
September 24, 2024 at 4:30 AM
Niagara Regional Police (NRP) are warning about an extortion scam affecting local individuals, one that involves threatening emails where fraudsters falsely claim to have compromising recordings of the victim, says a news release from the NRP.
The email can contain personal information, including name, address, phone number, and an image of your home. This information is typically gathered from open-source internet searches and does not indicate a legitimate threat to personal safety, the police said.
The scam begins with an email from a cyber-criminal who alleges they have recorded you while viewing adult content.
In an attempt to extort money, the scammer offers to delete the alleged footage and erase any trace of you in exchange for payment. The email typically includes a QR code linked to a cryptocurrency wallet, demanding payment in bitcoin, the news release explains.
This scam is certainly real and taking place, as Fort Erie Radio program director Brent Jones was an attempted victim of the scheme.
The fraudster claims to have installed malware through an adult website Jones visited, giving him “total control” over his phone.
The scammer also says in their 600-word email that they have been keeping tabs on Jones’ “pathetic existence for a while now,” before demanding a payment of $2,000 in bitcoin.
A photo of a home the culprits claim to be Jones’ was sent in the email, but it is actually one next door to a home he has not lived in for four years.
Police say this is a common tactic used by scammers–creating fear and urgency to manipulate victims into paying.
“Whether it’s an extortion email, a phone call from someone posing as a government official, or a fraudulent tech support claim, the goal is the same: to convince you that something is wrong and only they can fix it–for a price,” said the NRP.
The NRP advises the public to remain skeptical of any unsolicited requests for money or personal information. If you receive one of these emails, do not respond or send payment.
K9 Unit, Emergency Task Unit deployed during domestic incident in Ridgeway
Buffalo woman arrested after stolen firearm found at Peace Bridge
Local men fined for illegal hunting activity in northeastern Ontario
About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
Stay Informed