Gilbert Police warn of digital extortion scam
GILBERT (AZFamily) — Financial crimes detectives with the Gilbert Police Department are investigating a digital scam that’s impacting residents not only in the Valley, but nationwide.
A fraudulent email is circulating, claiming the sender has infiltrated all of the recipient’s devices through spyware. The lengthy and graphic message threatens to expose recordings of the recipient’s most private and potentially embarrassing online activities.
Some of these emails even include street view images or maps pinpointing the recipient’s address. The scammer demands an immediate ransom in Bitcoin and threatens to make the alleged videos public if the payment is not made.
This type of scam is known as “digital extortion.” If you receive any email like this, authorities say do not reply or send Bitcoin or payment.
“Everybody is targeted. In fact, there is a sergeant here in our department that got the email and received two such emails,” said Officer Levi Leyba. “That’s why it’s very important that you talk to those who may be victims; your grandparents, parents or even your neighbors, especially if they’re elderly.”
If you receive this type of message or have fallen victim to this scam, please call the Gilbert Police Department at 480-503-6500 and file a report.
“Gilbert PD doesn’t have any information that these scammers actually have your personal information,” Leyba said. “All they’re doing in general terms is to use it as a scare tactic and pay at their Bitcoin address.”
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