Police are sounding the alarm about scammers taking extra steps to intimidate and threaten victims into handing over their money with yet another email extortion con.
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South Simcoe police say officers have received multiple reports about threatening messages claiming the recipient had been caught visiting explicit websites and demanding a Bitcoin payment to prevent having the compromising material shared.
Along with the unsettling message, police say the scammer provides a screenshot of a Google map street view showing the individual's residence and other personal information, like their name and phone number, to further rattle the intended victim.
The email states in part, "You have no idea what I'm capable of ... I don't play games."
It continues, "I can look at everything on your screen, flick on your cam and mic, and you wouldn't have a clue. Oh, and I have got access to all your emails, contacts and social media accounts too."
Police urge the public to avoid falling victim to this scam and report it online.
They encourage residents to be mindful about sharing personal information on social media sites, which scammers can access, including dating sites.
The authorities also recommend keeping online passwords secure, setting up two-factor authentication, and avoiding engaging with or replying to phishing scams.
