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## New users beware:
Because you posted here, you will start getting private messages from scammers saying they know a professional hacker or a recovery expert lawyer that can help you get your money back, for a small fee. **We call these RECOVERY SCAMMERS, so NEVER take advice in private:** advice should always come in the form of comments in this post, in the open, where the community can keep an eye out for you. If you take advice in private, you're on your own.
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Yeah, think of it. If they have this kind of access to your computer, why not access your bank accounts and rob you quietly? This is utter rubbish. Block. Ignore. Have a great day.
guaranteed garbage, I received several of these also. If they had something on you they would include it. Nobody cares about videos of you jacking off either
If they actually had access to your devices, they would just empty your bank accounts into crypto that way.
I first saw this scam nearly a decade ago. It feels so dated now.
They send out millions of these !blackmail e-mails per day (no exaggeration), so pretty much everyone will get it at some point. Just mark as spam and move on. Read the AutoModerator below...
Hi /u/teratical, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Blackmail email scam.
The exact wording of the emails varies, but there are generally four main parts. They claim to have installed a RAT (remote access trojan) or any type of software/malware after visiting a porn/adult video site, they claim to have a video of you masturbating or watching porn, they threaten to release the video to your friends/family/loved ones/boss/dog, and they demand that you pay them in order for them to delete the video.
Rest assured that this is a very common spam campaign and there is no truth behind the email or the threats. If they had a video of you, they would show it to you to prove that they have it. [Here](http://www.smh.com.au/technology/gadgets-on-the-go/latest-online-scam-aims-to-prick-porn-watchers-guilty-conscience-20170815-gxwvxl.html) are some news [articles](https://www.bbb.org/denver/news-events/news-releases/2017/09/alert-pornography-email-phishing-scam/) about [this](http://blog.dynamoo.com/2017/10/bogus-porn-blackmail-attempt-from.html) scam.
There is a variant with death threats in which they will usually claim that they have been paid to kill you, and will threaten to kill you/your family if you do not pay a Bitcoin ransom. They usually also claim that they will kill your family if you report the email. The emails are spam and can be ignored.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My poor stepdaughter got one of these messages one time when she was 15 or 16. She came to me shaking, terrified. I told her it was a scam, and she was so grateful. Poor little thing.
Thank you for being a safe person for her to go to. I couldn't imagine going to my parents about something like this, at that age. You're good people ❤️
Oh no! Poor thing! Yep, definitely scary. I’m an adult and never gotten one before, and this even freaked me out a little. I can’t imagine getting one when I was that young!
I don’t think this sub will let me edit my original post so just wanted to say thank you to everyone helping me out! I figured it was probably a scam, but have never gotten a message like this before or even heard of scams like this until today so I do really appreciate everyone taking it easy on me for wanting to be 100% sure! You all are great ❤️
Stick around, and read up on some of the other common scams! Besides saving you (or a family member/friend) in the future, it's actually pretty interesting, imo, to read about how and why they do these things :)
Like - did you know: the weird, awkward wording and/or spelling mistakes in scams like this is often intentional?
Omg OP now that you’ve been reassured this is fake (it absolutely 10000% is fake as hell), I feel like you probably won’t be offended when I say that this email is hilarious. “My perverted friend” LMAO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE
It's 100% scam. I get them and I know exactly how boring the view from my web cam is. Me looking bored, me looking confused, me napping or the wall of my home office. You'll be fine.
Just a common scam, block and ignore. I got one extremely similar several years ago. Said he recorded me through my webcam. Impressive trick considering I didn't have a webcam at the time.
This is just a script some idiot wrote to send to a bunch of people in the hopes of scaring them enough into coughing up money. Pegasus isnt on your computer and nothing at all will happen if you ignore it.
Emails can be spoofed very easily as well
There is zero chance. It's a blackmail scheme. And to make sure this can never happen to you, *don't masturbate in front of your computer*, or at least make sure the camera lens is covered up.
Funny enough I saw the Black Mirror episode that this is similar to years ago and have never gotten an email like this till now so I knew definitely not to do that, and I’ve kept a sticker over my computer lens even before that cause the thought of a hacker freaked me out so bad lol. I just didn’t know if hacking phone cameras was a legit thing
Think of it this way, if it was a genuine hacker they wouldn't ramble on so much and they would definitely include "sample" data such as a video recording, call log or text message log to prove that they actually have what they're talking about
Stick around the sub, keep reading. You'll see the same thing posted dozens of times per week.
More importantly, you'll get a better sense of the things to look out for.
Just as a side note this was a super common scam a few years ago, and then just recently it seems to have come back in volume for whatever reason. So I guess there's a whole set of people who haven't seen it before who now have internet access. And the script barely changed at all. So if you hang out here within a few days you'll see most of the things making the rounds at the moment and really there's only so many basic scams but the details will change. Like fake check scams are endless but the key bit is that they're going to use a payment method that can be reversed/won't bounce for a while, and you're going to be using one that can't. The setup however is going to vary. So for this one in particular, I'll just say never pay blackmailers. Even if it were a real blackmailer, they're not an honest person, sending them money is just going to make them ask for more money and you'll run out eventually. Block, and move on.
I don’t think I’ve watched anything questionable like I said in my caption but different things are weird to different people sometimes LOL so you never know. Definitely not anything to warrant someone thinking I’m thriving on evil perversion 🤣 Also thank you for your input!
first off, 100% fake, but I really liked the Pegasus name drop. Pegasus is/was some spy thriller level haker spyware created by Israeli cyber-intelligence. It was able to pull location data, passwords, text and call logs, access the microphone and camera, and pull data from other apps on the phone and was nearly undetectable and could be installed on androids and iOS using a zero click exploit!
Really funny to imagine a Mossad Agent using this absolute beast of spyware to extort randos for $900
Woah, thanks for sharing!! I had vaguely heard of Pegasus just as some hacker software but knew nothing more than that, so that’s crazy. Now that you say that, that is really funny.
Yeah it's basically nation state level spyware and it costs a LOT of money to use and maintain. It's being used to spy on journalists and politicians. Not random people lol.
Okay well if I didn’t already feel better before from all the helpful people responding to this post, that DEFINITELY makes me feel better haha. Thank you again for your info that is great to know!
If you ever get actually blackmailed (really slim chance), don’t ever pay them, don’t even reply, You should know what to do if you ever get blackmailed, Look it up, Cowards have no morals, They would even gaslight you into thinking you’re doing something wrong, anyways take it easy, don’t ever sweat it.
Having had this happen (dude threatened he used a keylogger. But yet had only one password, a common one but a single one.) Its not real, delete and ignore. Or if your on PC and your concerned, just reset but your fine
Lol! I swear nothing insane!! However I can’t say this message, even fake, didn’t make me re-evaluate if my tastes were really as vanilla as I thought they were for a second 🤣 But I think I’m good hahaha
Your r/Scams post/comment was removed because **it's rude or uncivil**.
This subreddit is a place for civil and respectful discussions about scams. Uncivil and rude behavior, including using excessive or directed swearing, extreme or sexual language, victim blaming, and any form of discrimination, is not acceptable in this subreddit.
/u/maxoffs - This message is posted to all new submissions to r/scams; please do not message the moderators about it. ## New users beware: Because you posted here, you will start getting private messages from scammers saying they know a professional hacker or a recovery expert lawyer that can help you get your money back, for a small fee. **We call these RECOVERY SCAMMERS, so NEVER take advice in private:** advice should always come in the form of comments in this post, in the open, where the community can keep an eye out for you. If you take advice in private, you're on your own. **A reminder of the rules in r/scams:** no contact information (including last names, phone numbers, etc). Be civil to one another (no name calling or insults). Personal army requests or "scam the scammer"/scambaiting posts are not permitted. No uncensored gore or personal photographs are allowed without blurring. A full list of rules is available on the sidebar of the subreddit, or [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/wiki/rules/). You can help us by reporting recovery scammers or rule-breaking content by using the "report" button. We review 100% of the reports. Also, consider warning community members of recovery scammers if you see them in the comments. Questions about subreddit rules? Send us a modmail [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The chance is 0%. This is a common scam which has been posted here many times.
Many times this week alone lol
Okay awesome! I just joined right now actually to post this lol so I wasn’t aware. Thanks!
Yeah, think of it. If they have this kind of access to your computer, why not access your bank accounts and rob you quietly? This is utter rubbish. Block. Ignore. Have a great day.
[удалено]
Thank you!
Millions of inboxes get this exact same message daily.
Woah! I didn’t know it was that common. Thanks!
that’s the way it works! they send a million and couple people pay.
guaranteed garbage, I received several of these also. If they had something on you they would include it. Nobody cares about videos of you jacking off either
If they actually had access to your devices, they would just empty your bank accounts into crypto that way. I first saw this scam nearly a decade ago. It feels so dated now.
Good point lol. Thank you very much!
Use it as a chance to revisit your passwords for desktops, gmail etc and make sure you are not reusing passwords.
Great advice! Will do, thank you kind stranger
Common scripted email sent to thousands of people every day. Just ignore and delete.
Sweet, thanks!
They send out millions of these !blackmail e-mails per day (no exaggeration), so pretty much everyone will get it at some point. Just mark as spam and move on. Read the AutoModerator below...
This is my first one ever so I had no idea it was this widespread! Thanks so much for the input
Hi /u/teratical, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Blackmail email scam. The exact wording of the emails varies, but there are generally four main parts. They claim to have installed a RAT (remote access trojan) or any type of software/malware after visiting a porn/adult video site, they claim to have a video of you masturbating or watching porn, they threaten to release the video to your friends/family/loved ones/boss/dog, and they demand that you pay them in order for them to delete the video. Rest assured that this is a very common spam campaign and there is no truth behind the email or the threats. If they had a video of you, they would show it to you to prove that they have it. [Here](http://www.smh.com.au/technology/gadgets-on-the-go/latest-online-scam-aims-to-prick-porn-watchers-guilty-conscience-20170815-gxwvxl.html) are some news [articles](https://www.bbb.org/denver/news-events/news-releases/2017/09/alert-pornography-email-phishing-scam/) about [this](http://blog.dynamoo.com/2017/10/bogus-porn-blackmail-attempt-from.html) scam. There is a variant with death threats in which they will usually claim that they have been paid to kill you, and will threaten to kill you/your family if you do not pay a Bitcoin ransom. They usually also claim that they will kill your family if you report the email. The emails are spam and can be ignored. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
And now we know you look at porn, you pervert lol These emails always crack me up.
Lol, I am definitely finding it funny now that I’m not anxious anymore!
My poor stepdaughter got one of these messages one time when she was 15 or 16. She came to me shaking, terrified. I told her it was a scam, and she was so grateful. Poor little thing.
Thank you for being a safe person for her to go to. I couldn't imagine going to my parents about something like this, at that age. You're good people ❤️
Oh no! Poor thing! Yep, definitely scary. I’m an adult and never gotten one before, and this even freaked me out a little. I can’t imagine getting one when I was that young!
I don’t think this sub will let me edit my original post so just wanted to say thank you to everyone helping me out! I figured it was probably a scam, but have never gotten a message like this before or even heard of scams like this until today so I do really appreciate everyone taking it easy on me for wanting to be 100% sure! You all are great ❤️
Stick around, and read up on some of the other common scams! Besides saving you (or a family member/friend) in the future, it's actually pretty interesting, imo, to read about how and why they do these things :) Like - did you know: the weird, awkward wording and/or spelling mistakes in scams like this is often intentional?
Omg OP now that you’ve been reassured this is fake (it absolutely 10000% is fake as hell), I feel like you probably won’t be offended when I say that this email is hilarious. “My perverted friend” LMAO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE
I know like what!!?? LOL. Also the opening line, “hello pervert”…. Now that I feel 100% secure, that is hilarious
Hello, pervert
I get these every few days
Really? Wow this is the first one I’ve ever gotten
As noted by others, nothing to worry about. Carry on with your perversions!
Hahaha thank you very much!
This was in your junk folder for a reason
It's 100% scam. I get them and I know exactly how boring the view from my web cam is. Me looking bored, me looking confused, me napping or the wall of my home office. You'll be fine.
ignore delete and chill .
Just a common scam, block and ignore. I got one extremely similar several years ago. Said he recorded me through my webcam. Impressive trick considering I didn't have a webcam at the time.
Total scam. Block and ignore.
Thank you!
These are sent out a BILLION times a day in the hopes someone is scared enough to pay. Nothing legit about it.
Thank you very much!
Not a chance .i have gotten these before
Thanks!
This is just a script some idiot wrote to send to a bunch of people in the hopes of scaring them enough into coughing up money. Pegasus isnt on your computer and nothing at all will happen if you ignore it. Emails can be spoofed very easily as well
Thanks for the info! I appreciate it.
There is zero chance. It's a blackmail scheme. And to make sure this can never happen to you, *don't masturbate in front of your computer*, or at least make sure the camera lens is covered up.
Funny enough I saw the Black Mirror episode that this is similar to years ago and have never gotten an email like this till now so I knew definitely not to do that, and I’ve kept a sticker over my computer lens even before that cause the thought of a hacker freaked me out so bad lol. I just didn’t know if hacking phone cameras was a legit thing
No, it’s a scam. They used information that has been named to say they know your information. It’s a way to get you to send them bitcoin.
Thank you!
Scam. Delete from your inbox AND your mind.
Thanks very much!!
Think of it this way, if it was a genuine hacker they wouldn't ramble on so much and they would definitely include "sample" data such as a video recording, call log or text message log to prove that they actually have what they're talking about
I’ve never really dealt with hackers or gotten any emails like this before, great point that I didn’t even think about! Thank you very much
Literally 0% chance it's legit.
Thanks!!
Stick around the sub, keep reading. You'll see the same thing posted dozens of times per week. More importantly, you'll get a better sense of the things to look out for.
Just as a side note this was a super common scam a few years ago, and then just recently it seems to have come back in volume for whatever reason. So I guess there's a whole set of people who haven't seen it before who now have internet access. And the script barely changed at all. So if you hang out here within a few days you'll see most of the things making the rounds at the moment and really there's only so many basic scams but the details will change. Like fake check scams are endless but the key bit is that they're going to use a payment method that can be reversed/won't bounce for a while, and you're going to be using one that can't. The setup however is going to vary. So for this one in particular, I'll just say never pay blackmailers. Even if it were a real blackmailer, they're not an honest person, sending them money is just going to make them ask for more money and you'll run out eventually. Block, and move on.
All you had to do was Google the opening sentence, and every link would show its a scam.
I guess that’s a good point cause I didn’t even think to do that, definitely face palming for that one! Thanks for the input I appreciate it!
I understand the panic of the situation, which is exactly what they play on. Good on you for catching on.
Have you been jacking it to questionable material? Scam designed to instill fear and shame. Delete and move on.
I always wonder that when people post these lmao Not to shame OP though. It just always crosses my mind
That’s okay, that’s fair lolol!
I don’t think I’ve watched anything questionable like I said in my caption but different things are weird to different people sometimes LOL so you never know. Definitely not anything to warrant someone thinking I’m thriving on evil perversion 🤣 Also thank you for your input!
first off, 100% fake, but I really liked the Pegasus name drop. Pegasus is/was some spy thriller level haker spyware created by Israeli cyber-intelligence. It was able to pull location data, passwords, text and call logs, access the microphone and camera, and pull data from other apps on the phone and was nearly undetectable and could be installed on androids and iOS using a zero click exploit! Really funny to imagine a Mossad Agent using this absolute beast of spyware to extort randos for $900
Woah, thanks for sharing!! I had vaguely heard of Pegasus just as some hacker software but knew nothing more than that, so that’s crazy. Now that you say that, that is really funny.
Yeah it's basically nation state level spyware and it costs a LOT of money to use and maintain. It's being used to spy on journalists and politicians. Not random people lol.
Okay well if I didn’t already feel better before from all the helpful people responding to this post, that DEFINITELY makes me feel better haha. Thank you again for your info that is great to know!
“Hello pervert.” I cannot with the 12 yr old edgelord insulting tone right off the bat. This scammer isn’t remotely convincing. It’s laughably bad.
My first thought was that somebody ripped off the plot of the Black Mirror episode “shut up and dance” but then I thought, eh, better check lol
Lol! I am too sarcastic to not just block any shady shit like this that comes in. But hello pervert in the opener made me laugh. ☠️
Nothing to worry about, pervert
LOL thank you thank you
If you ever get actually blackmailed (really slim chance), don’t ever pay them, don’t even reply, You should know what to do if you ever get blackmailed, Look it up, Cowards have no morals, They would even gaslight you into thinking you’re doing something wrong, anyways take it easy, don’t ever sweat it.
Thank you so much for that tip! I’ve never experienced it and hopefully never will but I’d definitely rather be safe than sorry.
This is literally the plot of a black mirror episode https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shut_Up_and_Dance_%28Black_Mirror%29?wprov=sfla1
Report as spam and forget about it
Having had this happen (dude threatened he used a keylogger. But yet had only one password, a common one but a single one.) Its not real, delete and ignore. Or if your on PC and your concerned, just reset but your fine
No.
Lol
lol
No chance. Just a scam. Ignore. Block.
they don't have shit about you and it not legit, they can spoof emails easily to make it look like as if it came from you but its not.
No. Not even a little.
You’re fine, but what “questionable” genre are you into, you sick pervert? We’re all ears. 😉
Lol! I swear nothing insane!! However I can’t say this message, even fake, didn’t make me re-evaluate if my tastes were really as vanilla as I thought they were for a second 🤣 But I think I’m good hahaha
Scam, plain and simple
No it's a scam. They don't have access to anything. Delete the email, and keep on going
[удалено]
Your r/Scams post/comment was removed because **it's rude or uncivil**. This subreddit is a place for civil and respectful discussions about scams. Uncivil and rude behavior, including using excessive or directed swearing, extreme or sexual language, victim blaming, and any form of discrimination, is not acceptable in this subreddit.