The Bermuda Police Service(BPS) is today advising residents once again, to “remain vigilant regarding phone calls, e-mails and other correspondence from unknown persons that attempt to obtain personal information and other sensitive data – or even attempt to extort money”.
Police Media Relations released an example of a popular e-mail (below).
A spokesman said: “So far, recent scams of this type reported to police have not resulted in any financial losses. However, it is strongly recommended that senior citizens continue to be especially vigilant.”
- [Email]
I’m a hacker who cracked your email and device a few months ago. I know ‘123456’ is your password. You may not know me and your are most likely thinking why you’re getting this email correct?
Well, I install malware on adult video clips and I know that you have visited these websites to have fun (you know what I mean). When you are watching these video clips, your browser operated a key-logger which gave me accessibility to your webcam and keyboard. Just after that, my software gathered every single one of your contacts from email, messenger and social networks.
What did I do? Well, I created a video of you watching these adult websites. I have also hacked your email and am sending this email from your own email address. What should you now do? Well, I think $500 is a fair price to keep my little secret. You will make the payment through Bitcoin (search how to buy Bitcoin if you need to).
Bitcoin address: [a series of numbers and letters are included here].
Note: You only have one day to make the payment and my software will notify me when you’ve read this message. If I do not receive Bitcoin, I will certainly send out your video recording to all of your contacts, including friends and family, colleagues and so forth. If I receive the payment I will destroy the video immediately. This is a non-negotiable one time offer. Don’t waste my time and yours by responding to this email.
[End]
The BPS spokesman added: “This e-mail works by convincing the user that their computer or e-mail account has been compromised and that they are being watched.
“This is not the case. Fraudsters may have obtained historic e-mail accounts and passwords from insecure or compromised websites and thereafter used a technique called ‘spoofing’ as a means to validate claims of the user’s computer /e-mail account being compromised.
“The best way to deal with these particular e-mails is to immediately delete.
“Don’t open them, don’t reply, don’t open attachments, don’t click any links contained in the e-mails and certainly don’t send any money.
“The use of commercially available anti-virus and firewall software will usually prevent any of the claims made within the fraudulent e-mails.”
If any person has suffered any financial loss as a result of this particular e-mail or simply wishes to discuss similarly suspicious e-mails, please contact the Financial Crime Unit on 247-1757 or fraud2@bps.bm.
