Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Blackmail Scam

(42 Posts)
Greenfinch Sat 08-Jun-19 22:14:29

I have had exactly the same email as the OP. In fact I have had it three times but just ignored them.The only spooky thing was that the password was correct and is one I use for one of the family history sites.I didn't think of it as blackmail as I wasn't guilty so there was no evidence.

Willow500 Sat 08-Jun-19 21:29:17

We've spent all afternoon on the phone to Microsoft and the bank after my husband received an e-mail from MS thanking him for his purchase of X Box Live for £49.99 clearly showing his credit card's last 4 digits. He doesn't have and never has had an X Box although he does have an MS account. Not knowing if this was a scam we didn't want to click on the link in the mail to his MS account so tried to log into it only to receive the message no such account existed! I then spent ages on the phone to MS and after they tried to send him a reset mail realised his account has been compromised and have removed his card details and closed it. Whoever had done it had obviously changed the e-mail address. He can try to restart it again tomorrow.

Concerned about his credit card he then rang the bank and sure enough the amount was showing on his transactions although not yet showing online. He then spent a further 20 minutes on hold waiting for the fraud department who have had to cancel his card but have refunded the money. He will receive a new card in the next week. What a performance but thank goodness he reacted straight away to the initial e-mail otherwise who knows how many other transactions could have gone through. We have no idea how this could have happened other than somehow Microsoft themselves were hacked and his e-mail address stolen. Very worrying.

PamelaJ1 Sat 08-Jun-19 18:14:43

Thank you for the link Nonnie.
I’ve had a dodgy email, nothing to do with porn but with bank details that I was supposed to transfer church money into.

tiredoldwoman Sat 08-Jun-19 16:29:50

I ve had 2 of these , big fright at first then I laughed . I reported it as phishing . Then the tax refund came , then the non paid road tax then a demand for tv licence payment . It's alarming every time .

henetha Sat 08-Jun-19 15:39:20

I had a similar email recently. It came from MY OWN email address!!! It wanted over 500 bitcoins or else said it would send all my content to everyone, including my sexy photos.
Well, as I am 81 I don't have any sexy photos!!!! Nor any kind of sexy photos, so I knew it must be a scam.
I didn't tell the police. Should I ?

Liz46 Sat 08-Jun-19 15:34:11

I've just had one from HMRC saying that I have a tax refund of £750 due. I haven't paid any income tax for a few years!

I forwarded it to HMRC phishing address.

FarNorth Sat 08-Jun-19 14:48:39

People are entitled to watch legal porn, if they want, and may not want everyone to know about it.
I certainly don't watch any.

FarNorth Sat 08-Jun-19 14:45:25

Thanks for the replies.
I wasn't too worried but can see how some might be, fearing a fake video had been created.

Also, if you haven't changed your password for a while, you could think they have access to private info.

The password they quoted is one I don't use now.

I'll check out the links given above. Thank you.

sassenach512 Fri 07-Jun-19 17:28:11

I had the same email a month or so ago FarNorth it certainly put the wind up me at the time, they gave me 48 hours to pay or, as you said, this fictitious video was going to my friends and family. I deleted it and nothing has happened. If only there was a way to reach through the keyboard and grab the scumbag by the throat for the worry and stress they cause. Sadly, some people would fall for it.

Dianalou Fri 07-Jun-19 17:26:17

I had two of those in quick succession, and just deleted them (after having a bit of a laugh as one suggested they had video of me looking "hot")
There was no comeback.

HildaW Fri 07-Jun-19 16:46:28

....well I would have no sympathies with anyone who did.....!

EllanVannin Fri 07-Jun-19 16:41:08

The lengths these monsters will go to to extort money. What a dreadful scam this is.

Imagine how those who do download this muck are going to react ?

Nonnie Fri 07-Jun-19 15:47:13

This is where you report it: www.actionfraud.police.uk/

I've read about it so you are not alone. Just report it and then stop worrying.

annsixty Fri 07-Jun-19 15:27:43

I had that a few months ago, deleted, ignored and nothing since.

hellymart Fri 07-Jun-19 15:27:13

I'm sorry this has happened to you. There's lots of information in this Guardian article, which might help (seems it happens quite frequently, too): www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2019/jan/17/phishing-email-blackmail-sextortion-webcam

BlueBelle Fri 07-Jun-19 15:25:00

The police have a department that deals with interest scams etc
It definitely needs reporting to the police.... that is awful

FarNorth Fri 07-Jun-19 15:21:53

I've had an email. including an old password as 'evidence' that it is genuine.
It says that I have been recorded watching porn videos - I haven't been doing that - and suggests I pay some money by bitcoin so that the recording won't be sent to my friends & family.

Is there anywhere to report this to, as it is an actual blackmail attempt, or should I just delete it as usual?