Held to ransom

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#2062329 25-Jul-2018 14:38

Just commenting, someone at work received one of these emails and the only place they had used the password mentioned was the TAB site. I chatted with them about this for a bit and they said the password was very specific to that site as it contained a spelling error that they later corrected.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

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mattwnz

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#2062344 25-Jul-2018 15:17

We got one of these emails yesterday, and they are very threatening in the way they are written. They look to be using free email providers like Outlook.com which is where our one came from. I wish these email providers did more checks to stop these scum of the earth from using their services . We ended up reporting the email to gmail as spam, as there isn't much else we can do.

stinger

628 posts

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#2062439 25-Jul-2018 16:56

networkn:

I am off the opinion that there should be an international task force who should have permission from Governments to find the creeps that run these, but much more importantly the ransomware malware, and publically execute them. You'd soon note a significant drop in the number of infections!

Given that they use Bitcoins (and probably VPNs), tracking them down is next to impossible. I've received scores of these e-mails over the past year, but none containing my password. No need for execution, a long term jail sentence (10 years+) would be more of a deterrent.

Oblivian

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#2063026 26-Jul-2018 15:46

Getting more widely known about using harvested pws now

https://www.hoax-slayer.net/fake-blackmail-sextortion-scam-emails-using-real-passwords/

reven

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#2063027 26-Jul-2018 15:50

I got this email the other day, a password I havent really used in over a decade, only use it now for linux installs for my laptop. nothing fancy (its a basic 6 letter password).

but they asked me for $3800USD... I guess the "video" they have of me was more damaging:D

Gmail did flag this as spam, but really it shouold have just automatically deleted it... gmail needs improvement.

mattwnz

19996 posts

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#2063122 26-Jul-2018 18:27

Apparently they were discussing this scam on Radio NZ today with Mary Holm.

I wonder if anyone has turned the tables on these cockroaches (and that is being unkind to cockroaches) . But I am guessing they just send these emails in bulk, and dispose of the email address, so there is no way to communicate with them. They just work on percentages that some people will pay. But I am guessing many people who would fall for this type of thing wouldn't have a clue how bitcoins work anyway.

Maxcat

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2065382 31-Jul-2018 07:25

This is my blackmail story:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/105767222/opinion-cyber-bullies-are-all-alike

Dratsab

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#2065386 31-Jul-2018 07:42

I finally got one of these a few days ago, so no longer feel like I'm missing out. The password displayed in the email was an old one from a LinkedIn data breach back in 2012. $2200 in Bitcoin was demanded but a currency wasn't specified so I toyed with the idea of sending them the equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars but quickly found that even NZ$0.01 would be a massive overpayment.

networkn

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#2065403 31-Jul-2018 08:30

stinger:

networkn:

I am off the opinion that there should be an international task force who should have permission from Governments to find the creeps that run these, but much more importantly the ransomware malware, and publically execute them. You'd soon note a significant drop in the number of infections!

Given that they use Bitcoins (and probably VPNs), tracking them down is next to impossible. I've received scores of these e-mails over the past year, but none containing my password. No need for execution, a long term jail sentence (10 years+) would be more of a deterrent.

I know for a fact that some of these people are making upward of 2-3M a year from these scams and others. They are big business. You need a deterrant that overrides the money they are making. Some people would spend 10 Years in prison for 2-3M.

You tell them if they are caught, a) you don't likely have people pay that price, and b) those people are going to find it VERY hard to find people to help them.

freitasm

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#2066897 2-Aug-2018 15:24

"Woman knew blackmail email was a scam 'because I'm religious and don't watch porn'"

My technology disclosure

DarthKermit

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#2066899 2-Aug-2018 15:25

I have an opaque sticker over this laptop's webcam. If I get one of those scammy emails I'll know it's a complete lie.

stinger

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#2066903 2-Aug-2018 15:33

stinger:

I've received scores of these e-mails over the past year, but none containing my password.

... until this week. Received one that had my old Linked In password on it. I could tell by the e-mail address they used. Since then, I've used a password manager and any sites that use the revealed password haven't been used in the last four years.

Maxcat

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2066904 2-Aug-2018 15:34

I wouldn't wait for the email to come in.

Go here: https://haveibeenpwned.com/

To see if your email has been included in the dump that appears to have caught me and others with this scam.

mattwnz

19996 posts

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#2066905 2-Aug-2018 15:41

Dratsab:

I finally got one of these a few days ago, so no longer feel like I'm missing out. The password displayed in the email was an old one from a LinkedIn data breach back in 2012. $2200 in Bitcoin was demanded but a currency wasn't specified so I toyed with the idea of sending them the equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars but quickly found that even NZ$0.01 would be a massive overpayment.

That could be why my personal email address hasn't had one, as I have never signed up to that service. But the family member who did, did get one. Not sure they knew about the data breach.

Rikkitic

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#2066944 2-Aug-2018 16:41

DarthKermit:

I have an opaque sticker over this laptop's webcam. If I get one of those scammy emails I'll know it's a complete lie.

My X-ray software that I secretly planted on your computer can see around any obstacle and if you do not send me 5000 bitcoin immediately your family will see the disgusting things you did with that poor bunny!

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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