Blackmail scam popping up in eastern Ontario, OPP warn
Posted Sep 24, 2024 12:54:03 PM.
Last Updated Sep 24, 2024 12:59:32 PM.
Police are warning the public of “yet another” scam that is going around eastern Ontario.
According to police, it is a “twist” on an old scam that sees a fraudster blackmail a victim. The scammer emails people claiming they will release information to the victim’s contact list about them viewing explicit adult websites.
The scammer says they will release the information unless the victim pays through Bitcoin (cryptocurrency). The email includes the recipient’s full name, address, phone number and even a screenshot of the person’s home from a search engine.
Provincial police said they were notified of this scam by an older woman, who said she knew it was not real because she was not browsing adult sites.
Officials are asking the public to block the sender and delete the email if they receive one similar.
OPP are reminding people to call police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report the incident.
