Wayne P.of Evangeline, Louisiana, opened an email that would make almost anyone's stomach drop.
The sender claimed to represent the ShinyHunters hacking group and demanded $2,000 in Litecoin within 48 hours.The message also claimed hackers had recorded intimate videos through Wayne's camera and planned to send them to his contacts.Wayne paused instead of paying.
He ran security scans on his phone and PC, then contacted CyberGuy."Just received the message below.I think it's phony and security scans of my phone and PC indicate no issues.
I also forwarded this to 'reportphishing.' Any comments?"Wayne P., Evangeline, LouisianaWayne's instincts were right.The email closely matches a widespread sextortion campaign that uses real breach information to support an invented device takeover.
So, what gave this scam away, and what should you do if a threat like this lands in your inbox?AMAZON RECALL TEXT SCAM COMES WITH RED FLAGSThis is the actual sextortion email sent to Wayne, using Carnival breach details, a $2,000 Litecoin demand and a 48-hour deadline to create panic.(Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)CyberGuy Live: Missed "Sick of Spam?" Get the replay and checklistOur free CyberGuy Live class, "Sick of Spam?", has ended, but you can still watch the full replay and download our spam-stopping checklist.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you step by step through simple ways to reduce robocalls, spam texts, junk email and unwanted messages.You’ll also learn how to curb political texts, clean up your inbox and spot messages that could put your personal information at risk.Get the free replay and checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.Wayne's email follows a familiar sextortion script.
The sender claims hackers reached his phone and computer, then says they recorded intimate activity through his camera.However, the message offers no proof.
Wayne received no screenshot, stolen file or sample of the supposed recording.The demand for $2,000 in Litecoin, the 48-hour deadline and the warn...