ALERT! I'm hacked you and stolen you information
I received the below email 3 days ago and have followed all of the instructions at https://www.virginmedia.com/help/security/why-is-my-virgin-media-email-hacked
(I've removed the password and my email address from the below mail but the password was correct!!!? the email was sent to me from my own email address 😞 ). I've also forwarded the mail to report phishing at uk gov etc
I've scanned my computer - no malware found, no forwarding instructions ... so how the hell did they get hold of my password?? None of my non VM accounts (with different passwords) have been hacked (so far). I know VM had a security breach in 2020 but claimed no passwords were stolen. If they didnt get my password from me .. and I dont think they did, they must have got it from VM? Fortunately, no damage (so far) - have you seen anything like this before?
Thanks
Teknophobe
Date: 01 May 2030 at 08:15
Subject: ALERT! I'm hacked you and stolen you information
Hey
I have to share bad news with you.
Approximately few months ago I have gained access to your devices, which you use for internet browsing.
After that, I have started tracking your internet activities.
Some time ago I hacked you and got access to your email accounts
address deleted
Obviously, I have easily hack to log in to your email.
Your password: (deleted)
One week later, I have already installed Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all the devices that you use to access your email.
In fact, it was not really hard at all (since you were following the links from your inbox emails).
All ingenious is simple. 😃
This software provides me with access to all the controllers of your devices (e.g., your microphone, video camera and keyboard).
I have downloaded all your information, data, photos, web browsing history to my servers.
I have access to all your messengers, social networks, emails, chat history and contacts list.
My virus continuously refreshes the signatures (it is driver-based), and hence remains invisible for antivirus software.
Likewise, I guess by now you understand why I have stayed undetected until this letter...
While gathering information about you, I have discovered that you are a big fan of adult websites.
You really love visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, while enduring an enormous amount of pleasure.
Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you **bleep** and reach orgasms.
If you have doubts, I can make a few clicks of my mouse and all your videos will be shared to your friends, colleagues and relatives.
I have also no issue at all to make them available for public access.
I guess, you really don't want that to happen, considering the specificity of the videos you like to watch, (you perfectly know what I mean) it will cause a true catastrophe for you.
Let's settle it this way:
You transfer $400 USD to me (in bitcoin equivalent according to the exchange rate at the moment of funds transfer), and once the transfer is received, I will delete all this dirty stuff right away.
After that we will forget about each other. I also promise to deactivate and delete all the harmful software from your devices. Trust me, I keep my word.
This is a fair deal and the price is quite low, considering that I have been checking out your profile and traffic for some time by now.
In case, if you don't know how to purchase and transfer the bitcoins - you can use any modern search engine.
Here is my bitcoin wallet: bc1qc7uw3ll3zj83c0jk5cryduns6f3rlju3ac4v6p
Things you need to avoid from doing:
*Do not reply me (I have created this email inside your inbox and generated the return address).
*Do not try to contact police and other security services. In addition, forget about telling this to you friends. If I discover that (as you can see, it is really not so hard, considering that I control all your systems) - your video will be shared to public right away.
*Don't try to find me - it is absolutely pointless. All the cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous.
*Don't try to reinstall the OS on your devices or throw them away. It is pointless as well, since all the videos have already been saved at remote servers.
Things you don't need to worry about:
*That I won't be able to receive your funds transfer.
- Don't worry, I will see it right away, once you complete the transfer, since I continuously track all your activities (my trojan virus has got a remote-control feature, something like TeamViewer).
*That I will share your videos anyway after you complete the funds transfer.
- Trust me, I have no point to continue creating troubles in your life. If I really wanted that, I would do it long time ago!
Everything will be done in a fair manner!
One more thing... Don't get caught in similar kind of situations anymore in future!
My advice - keep changing all your passwords on a frequent basis
This is a generic template which lots of people have received at some point (including myself).
When a password is quoted it is, most-likely, one that has been harvested from a data leak along with an email address.
Those most vulnerable in this scenario are people who use the same email/password combo across multiple sites.
This site
allows you to check email/passwords to see if they have been previously leaked and appear on any known leaked lists.