The Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCert) is urging the public to be cautious of extortion emails targeting residents. These emails, reported 33 times in August alone, threaten to circulate embarrassing private videos supposedly recorded through malware on the recipient’s device.
What it is About:
The Scam: Emails claim malware has infected your device and captured private videos.
The Threat: Scammers will leak the videos to your contacts unless you pay a cryptocurrency ransom.
The Lie: No actual malware exists, and the videos are a fabrication.
The Trick: Emails may appear from your own address due to “spoofing,” making them seem legitimate.
Don’t Be Fooled:
Ignore the threat. Engaging with the scammers encourages them.
Report the email to SingCert (www.csa.gov.sg/cyber-aid) to help track and stop these scams.
Protect yourself. Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts.
In addition, to protect your primary personal email and prevent such incidents, be selective about who you share your email address with and avoid posting it publicly on forums or social media, as this can attract unwanted attention.
By staying informed and vigilant, you can avoid falling victim to these extortion attempts.
Source from CSA Singapore and News Source From Strait Times on 30 August 2024.
