Scam Number: [not provided]
Scammer’s Website or Email: [email protected] (assumed compromised)
Additional information about this scam: Got an email sent to an alt I use for secondary communication. The body of which contained an old address I used to live at close to 5 years ago now and my full legal name. I’m going to assume that it was pulled from the gigaleak that happened a couple of weeks ago. The attached PDF file is where it gets interesting.
Of course, they do have my actual cell number, something that has been sent innumerable spam calls in the past (I just block and ignore) as well as the old address. I will copy and paste the PDF’s contents below minus PII.
[me],
I know that calling [personal cell] or visiting [old address]. would be a better way to contact you if you
don’t cooperate. Don’t even try to hide from this. You’ve no idea what I’m capable of in [old address’s township].
I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a moment to chill, breathe, and analyze it thoroughly. 'Cause we’re about to
discuss a deal between you and me, and I ain’t playinggames. You don’t know anythingabout me however I know you
very well and right now, you are thinkinghow, correct?
Well, you’ve been a bit careless lately, scrollingthrough those videos and clickingon links, stumblingupon some not-sosafe sites. I actually placed a Malware on a porn website & you accessed it to watch(you know what I mean). And while
you were busy enjoyingour videos, your device initiated workingas a RDP (Remote Protocol) which provided me total
control over your device. I can peep at everythingon your screen, switch on your cam and mic, and you wouldn’t even
suspect a thing. Oh, and I’ve got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too.
Been keepingtabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It is just your bad luck that I saw your blunder. I gave in
more days than I probably should have digginginto your personal life. Extracted quite a bit of juicy info from your
system. and I’ve seen it all. Yeah, Yeah, I’ve got footage of you doingfilthy things in your house (nice setup, by the way).
I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there’s whatever garbage you were playing, and
on the other half, its you jerkingoff. With just a click, I can send this garbage to all of your contacts.
Your confusion is clear, but don’t expect sympathy. Actually, I’m ready to wipe the slate clean, and allow you to move on
with your life and wipe your slate clean. I will present you two alternatives.
First Option is to turn a deaf ear this e-mail. You should know what is goingto happen if you pick this option. I will send
your video to all of your contacts. The video was lit, and I can’t even fathom the humiliation you’ll endure when your
colleagues, friends, and fam watch it. But hey, that’s life, ain’t it? Don’t be playingthe victim here.
Second option is to pay me, and be confidential about it. We’ll call this my “confidentiality charges”. let me tell you what
will happen when you opt this choice. Your filthy secret remains private. I will wipe everythingclean once you send
payment. You have to make the payment via Bitcoin only. Pay attention, I’m tellingyou straight: ‘We gotta make a deal’. I
want you to know I’m comingat you with good intentions. I will keep my end of the bargain.
Amount to be sent: $1950
BITCOIN ADDRESS IS: 14ow9AegSM5hX7Gn8wAaF4Uhjm2Bdmk4UP
Let me tell ya, it’s peanuts for your tranquility.
Notice: You got one day to sort this out and I will only accept Bitcoins (I’ve a specific pixel within this e-mail, and right
now I know that you have read through this email message). My system will catch that Bitcoin payment and wipe out all
the dirt I got on you. Don’t even think about replyingto this or negotiating, it’s pointless. The email and wallet are
custom-made for you, untraceable. If I suspect that you’ve shared or discussed this email with anyone else, your shitty
video will instantly start gettingsent to your contacts. And don’t even think about turningoff your phone or resettingit to
factory settings. It’s pointless. I don’t make mistakes, [me].
Can you notice somethinghere?
[image of old address’s neighbor, not even the old house itself]
Honestly, those online tips about coveringyour camera aren’t as useless as they seem. I am waitingfor my payment…
So, as seen, the address is 14ow9AegSM5hX7Gn8wAaF4Uhjm2Bdmk4UP. Per a lookup of the address, there is nothing in it. As this was sent to me this morning, I do not know if this was a fresh wallet created for just this extortion attempt or if it is being spamblasted out to as many people as possible hoping for someone to take a bite.
Obviously, I know this is a scam on multiple levels (spelling, mashed words together, the typical scammer talk, and the fact that I don’t have a webcam on my monitor). I was tempted to send in reply “Bet.” with an image of a loaded mag of M855 and the caption, “Better be wearing Level 4 plates tho.” But I thought better of it due to them knowing the old address and not wanting to cause the new homeowner to get SWATted in some retaliatory move. Should I reach out to the township’s PD to warn them of a potential SWATting attempt against that homeowner? Is there any additional information I can pull from the email I received or the PDF that was attached to it? I’d share the actual file but as stated before, it actually contains PII for my phone number and a previous residence.
Happy hunting with the email and the wallet address, though.