From the WhatsApp Gold hoax to the “Hey Mom” text message scam, it seems cybercriminals will try anything to scam us out of our money.
And their latest tactic may be their most brazen yet.
A new email scam has emerged, where scammers claim to have watched you on your webcam and threaten to make the footage public if you don’t pay up.
The email usually begins with “Hello pervert” and often appears to come from your own email address.
Below you will find the most important signs that it is a hoax. You will also read what to do if you receive it.
A new email scam has emerged where scammers claim to have watched you on your webcam and threaten to release the footage if you don’t pay up (stock image)
Usually the email goes something like this: “Hello pervert.
‘I sent you this message from your Microsoft account.
‘I want to inform you about a very bad situation for you.
‘But you can benefit from it, if you act wisely.’
The message claims that the sender has footage of you recorded on your webcam. Some versions claim that it shows you watching porn or masturbating.
To prevent the sender from sharing these alleged images with everyone in your email contact list, you will be asked to pay within a certain period of time.
The email usually reads something like: ‘Hello pervert. I sent you this message from your Microsoft account’
“Do not see yourself as an innocent victim,” reads a scam email seen by MailOnline.
‘No one knows where your perversion will lead in the future, so consider this a well-deserved punishment to stop you.’
Some scammers cite Pegaus, a powerful spyware developed by Israeli cyberweapons company NSO Group, in the hopes of appearing even more threatening.
Other passwords contain one of your old or inactive passwords, obtained in a previous data breach.
And if they have access to it, some scammers will enter your physical address or even a photo of your personal neighborhood.
These emails are undoubtedly horrible to receive and have shocked many social media users.
On Reddit, one user wrote: ‘I was shocked because the message was sent from my own email address, but it was still marked as spam.’
Another added: ‘I received this email a few days ago and it really scared me.’
The message claims that the sender has footage of you recorded on your webcam. Some versions claim that it shows you watching porn or masturbating (stock image)
And on Twitter someone wrote: ‘Did anyone get my sexy videos? I’ll give them some credit, that’s creepy AF.’
According to cybersecurity experts at Malwarebytes, responding to the email that reads “Hello pervert” is the worst thing you can do.
“First of all, never respond to these types of emails,” was the advice.
“It can tell the sender that someone is reading the emails sent to that address. That person will then repeatedly try new and different methods to scam you.”
If the email contains one of your passwords, make sure you no longer use it. If you do, change it immediately, Malwarebytes advises.
It is also important that you do not click on any unsolicited attachments, as they may inadvertently install malware onto your device.
Finally, don’t panic.
“Don’t rush into action or decisions. Scammers rely on you not taking the time to think about this and then make mistakes,” Malwarebytes said.
For your own peace of mind, it is best to disable your webcam or purchase a case.