The "Your Mailbox Hacked and Operating System Infected with a Virus" Scam
Online users, please DO NOT follow the instructions in emails like the one below, which claim your mailbox has been hacked, your operating system has been infected with a virus, and you need to make payment to prevent your photos and videos from being exposed. The fake emails are being sent by cybercriminals who are attempting to frighten and trick their potential victims into making payments for some false claims.
It appears the cybercriminals got their potential victims old passwords from a hack or security breach of a few internet giants, which took place months ago. The cybercriminals then created the fake email (see below) and place the password in them to convince the recipients their claims are true.
But, the internet giants affected by the security breach have forced their users to change their passwords to prevent the cybercriminals from gaining access to their accounts. So, those old passwords will not help the cybercrooks.
"Your Mailbox Hacked and Operating System Infected with a Virus" Scam
From: @hotmail.ca @hotmail.ca
Sent: October 20, 2018 3:04 AM
Subject: @hotmail.ca is hacked
Hello!
My nickname in darknet is alvin98.
I hacked this mailbox more than six months ago,
through it I infected your operating system with a virus (trojan) created by me and have been monitoring you for a long time.
So, your password from @hotmail.ca is *
Even if you changed the password after that - it does not matter, my virus intercepted all the caching data on your computer
and automatically saved access for me.
I have access to all your accounts, social networks, email, browsing history.
Accordingly, I have the data of all your contacts, files from your computer, photos and videos.
I was most struck by the intimate content sites that you occasionally visit.
You have a very wild imagination, I tell you!
During your pastime and entertainment there, I took screenshot through the camera of your device, synchronizing with what you are watching.
Oh my god! You are so funny and excited!
I think that you do not want all your contacts to get these files, right?
If you are of the same opinion, then I think that $892 is quite a fair price to destroy the dirt I created.
Send the above amount on my BTC wallet (bitcoin): 1NXNt72qfMhPZDffUEqryCYpEUzyR6LmgH
As soon as the above amount is received, I guarantee that the data will be deleted, I do not need it.
Otherwise, these files and history of visiting sites will get all your contacts from your device.
Also, I'll send to everyone your contact access to your email and access logs, I have carefully saved it!
Since reading this letter you have 48 hours!
After your reading this message, I'll receive an automatic notification that you have seen the letter.
I hope I taught you a good lesson.
Do not be so nonchalant, please visit only to proven resources, and don't enter your passwords anywhere!
Good luck!
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.