Police Sound Alarm Over Surge in ‘Sextortion’ Emails
Police have issued a serious warning after a sharp rise in “sextortion” scam emails targeting South Yorkshire residents. Cyber criminals are tricking victims into believing they’ve been caught on camera watching porn and demanding huge Bitcoin ransoms to keep quiet.
Scam Hits 15 Locals in One Week
In just seven days, officers have logged 15 reports where victims were threatened with their “footage” being shared with friends, family, or colleagues unless they pay up—often up to $3,000 in Bitcoin.
The fraudsters ramp up the fear factor by sending these threatening emails from what looks like the victim’s own email account—and even reveal stolen passwords to back up their claims.
Police Warn: Don’t Fall for the Sextortion Trap
“These emails claim the victim has been filmed watching porn and demand payment,” said Cyber Protect Officer Dannielle Lee from South Yorkshire Police. “Sextortion is a form of extortion where scammers try to blackmail you over alleged sexual activity. It’s deeply unsettling, especially when deadlines and huge ransoms are involved. Thankfully, none of the victims who reported to us have paid a penny.”
Experts believe these crooks may be using passwords stolen from old data breaches. If you receive one of these emails, change your passwords immediately to lock them out.
How to Protect Yourself from Sextortion Scams
- Don’t reply or pay up – it only confirms you’re a target and could encourage more attacks.
- Flag the email as spam or junk to block repeated hits.
- Change any passwords mentioned in the email right away. Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Keep your software and antivirus programs up-to-date to shield against hacking attempts.
If you’ve been targeted, report it to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Due to Covid-19, online reporting is recommended as phone service waits are longer than usual.
