Email Hack

[Toffee]

Hi

Some months ago I received the following email which appears to be:

Sent to me from my own email address, dated in the future 2031 so its always at the top of my inbox, showing accurately my email address and account password (I have deleted these below for obvious reasons)

This email was very concerning for me at the time as it accurately detailed my email address and password so I changed my password to all accounts which was very time consuming and annoying.

Same as above has just happened to my wife who also has a .ntlworld email account.

What can I do to determine 1.) if I have been hacked? 2.) If some form of virus, malware, spyware has been installed on my computer? and 3.) what I can do to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey @ntlworld.com

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 @ntlworld.com .
Obviously, I have easily hack to log in to your email.

Your password: xxxxxxxxxx

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, 

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: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

[用心棒]

This form of threatening communication is a common tactic used by miscreants to extort victims. To improve the likelihood of success the miscreant will deploy a  psychological ruse by including information that they have obtained elsewhere to imply truth and/or risk from other things mentioned in the communication. For example, the miscreant may quote an old or current password that the victims uses or used to use.

If the quoted password is still used (here or elsewhere) then as a matter of urgency change it; use a unique password with each service and enable multi-factor authentication where available.

For further advice see Report a phishing attempt | Action Fraud

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[HughJarsse]

Had something similar a few months ago, virtually word for word email. 

This is a scam. Scammer reckoned he had videos of me, and that I watched porn, etc, and he knew what I was doing.

So, problem is, I don't watch porn, and, I have no webcam connected to my PC, so there is no way he could have videoed me. 

As mentioned, he possibly got my password from a leak somewhere, but I regularly change my passwords every month, so the one he had, was already probably outdated anyway, (as he reckoned he had access to my account for several months), so no joy for him there. 

Didn't take any notice of his 'threats' and haven't heard from him since!!

Also, do scans of my PC on a weekly basis with Malwarebytes premium, and a.n.other program, so know all is Ok.

[Markaustin]

Hi 

Did you get a reply and solution ?

[Kath_F]

Hi Markaustin, 

Thanks for your post in the Community. 

I can see you've already sent a private message to my colleague who is helping you to resolve this. 

We'll leave this with them to avoid multiple agents working on the same thing 🙂 They will be in touch with you when back on shift.

Thanks,