Cyber criminals are sending victims their own passwords in an attempt to trick them into believing they have been filmed on their computer watching porn and demanding payment. It is believed the passwords have been obtained through a previous data breach.

We have also had people contacting the ScamwiseNI Facebook page to report that they have been contacted and told:
"You recently viewed child porn on your system and the site captured your information".

The victim is told that information includes their details and social contacts (Facebook friends and email contacts). The victim is warned that information will be sent to police and authorities in 24 hours unless they send bitcoins as payment to an address.

This crime is blackmail and is not a fraud. Therefore if you have paid the extortion you should make the crime report locally to the PSNI.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: paying only highlights that you’re vulnerable and that you may be targeted again. The police advise that you do not pay criminals.

• Secure it: Change your password immediately and reset it on any other accounts you’ve used the same one for. Always use a strong and separate password. Whenever possible, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

• Do not email the fraudsters back.

• Always update your anti-virus software and operating systems regularly.

• Cover your webcam when not in use.

• If you have received one of these emails and paid the demand, report it to the PSNI by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. If you have not paid, report it as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud by visiting https://actionfraud.police.uk/report_phishing