Irish Daily Mirror

PORN SCAM BLACKMAIL

Hoaxers demand cash to stop innocent people being ‘exposed’

- by DAVID Coleman and Louise walsh

SICK scammers are accusing people of surfing porn sites – and demanding money to stop them being “exposed”.

Up to 15 Irish web users a day are calling experts for help after receiving the threatenin­g emails. Blackmaile­rs claim to have explicit footage of the targets – and demand up to €6,000.

Dalton Dullaghan, of Dash.ie, said: “I would be very worried this could have tragic consequenc­es on a vulnerable person who may be driven over the edge by this.”

COMPUTER experts have warned of a dangerous “sextortion” scam causing misery across Ireland.

The bogus email is causing panic to many users because it identifies one of their account passwords and claims it has informatio­n on their online activity.

The scammers then claim they will share to family and friends unless paid up to €6,000 in online currency bitcoin.

Computer firm Dash.ie has urged people to be vigilant after receiving up to 15 calls a day from “stressed out” customers.

The email states: “I’m aware ... is your password. You don’t know me and you’re probably thinking why you are getting this.

“Well I actually placed a malware on the adult video clips [porno] web site and guess what, you visited this website.

“While you were watching video clips, your internet browser started out working as a remote desktop with a key logger which gave me access to your display screen as well as web camera.

“Just after that, my software program gathered every one of your contacts from Messenger, Facebook and email.

“After that I gave in much more time than I should’ve exploring into your life and generated a two-screen video. First part shows the recording you had been viewing and second shows the capture from your web camera (it’s you doing inappropri­ate things)

“Frankly, I’m ready to forget about you and let you continue with your life.”

The phisher says it only wants the money as “compensati­on”.

It says: “I have covered my steps to ensure this mail cannot be tracked returning to me and it will not stop the evidence from destroying your daily life.

“I am not trying to steal all your savings. I just want to be compensate­d for the time I placed into investigat­ing you. Let’s hope you have decided to make all this go away and pay me the confidenti­ality fee.” Spokesman for Dash. ie, Dalton Dullaghan warned people to take steps to prevent the scammers targeting them.

He said: “The passwords I have seen have been ones users actually do have in used on the internet which adds realism and panic. “Most likely an account associated with the email has been compromise­d and the criminal is using details available on the dark web.

“I would be very worried this could have tragic consequenc­es on a vulnerable person.

“Never pay the bad bounty and turn on the two-step authentica­tion.”

I would be worried this could have tragic a consequenc­e for someone DALTON DULLAGHAN DASH.IE YESTERDAY

 ??  ?? Danger Online extortion
Danger Online extortion
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 ??  ?? PAY UP OR ELSE Email demands cash from online victims
PAY UP OR ELSE Email demands cash from online victims

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