I was organizing and cleaning my mail today, and I saw a mail from a few days ago that I left unread.
This is a copypaste of that mail:
Hello!
Unfortunately, there are some bad news for you. Around several months ago I have obtained access to your devices that you were using to browse internet. Subsequently, I have proceeded with tracking down internet activities of yours.
Below, is the sequence of past events: In the past, I have bought access from hackers to numerous email accounts (today, that is a very straightforward task that can be done online). Clearly, I have effortlessly logged in to email account of yours (contact@vis4valentine.com).
A week after that, I have managed to install Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all your devices that are used for email access. Actually, that was quite simple (because you were clicking the links in inbox emails). All smart things are quite straightforward. (>_<)
The software of mine allows me to access to all controllers in your devices, such as video camera, microphone and keyboard. I have managed to download all your personal data, as well as web browsing history and photos to my servers. I can access all messengers of yours, as well as emails, social networks, contacts list and even chat history. My virus unceasingly refreshes its signatures (since it is driver-based), and hereby stays invisible for your antivirus.
So, by now you should already understand the reason why I remained unnoticed until this very moment…
While collecting your information, I have found out that you are also a huge fan of websites for adults. You truly enjoy checking out porn websites and watching dirty videos, while having a lot of kinky fun. I have recorded several kinky scenes of yours and montaged some videos, where you reach orgasms while passionately masturbating.
If you still doubt my serious intentions, it only takes couple mouse clicks to share your videos with your friends, relatives and even colleagues. It is also not a problem for me to allow those vids for access of public as well. I truly believe, you would not want this to occur, understanding how special are the videos you love watching, (you are clearly aware of that) all that stuff can result in a real disaster for you.
Let’s resolve it like this: All you need is $1450 USD transfer to my account (bitcoin equivalent based on exchange rate during your transfer), and after the transaction is successful, I will proceed to delete all that kinky stuff without delay. Afterwards, we can pretend that we have never met before. In addition, I assure you that all the harmful software will be deleted from all your devices. Be sure, I keep my promises.
That is quite a fair deal with a low price, bearing in mind that I have spent a lot of effort to go through your profile and traffic for a long period. If you are unaware how to buy and send bitcoins - it can be easily fixed by searching all related information online.
Below is bitcoin wallet of mine: 13g3WtdxuoB9AVyy54QW9xxbDtFjE2iNHk
You are given not more than 48 hours after you have opened this email (2 days to be precise).
Below is the list of actions that you should not attempt doing:
Do not attempt to reply my email (the email in your inbox was created by me together with return address). Do not attempt to call police or any other security services. Moreover, don’t even think to share this with friends of yours. Once I find that out (make no doubt about it, I can do that effortlessly, bearing in mind that I have full control over all your systems) - the video of yours will become available to public immediately. Do not attempt to search for me - there is completely no point in that. All cryptocurrency transactions remain anonymous at all times. Do not attempt reinstalling the OS on devices of yours or get rid of them. It is meaningless too, because all your videos are already available at remote servers.
Below is the list of things you don’t need to be concerned about:
That I will not receive the money you transferred.
- Don’t you worry, I can still track it, after the transaction is successfully completed, because I still monitor all your activities (trojan virus of mine includes a remote-control option, just like TeamViewer).
That I still will make your videos available to public after your money transfer is complete.
- Believe me, it is meaningless for me to keep on making your life complicated. If I indeed wanted to make it happen, it would happen long time ago!
Everything will be carried out based on fairness!
Before I forget…moving forward try not to get involved in this kind of situations anymore! An advice from me - regularly change all the passwords to your accounts.
The thing is, this was sent on July 13 and I just opened it today. So I went through the 48 hours without paying and nothing happened, didn’t send any more mail and my family and friends certainly had not gotten any videos of my jerking off. Also the language is very vague. " You truly enjoy checking out porn websites and watching dirty videos, while having a lot of kinky fun." That could apply to almost anyone. If someone tried to black mail me, they gotta be more specific.
Also, a trojan? I use GNU/Linux and most of my current devices are Raspberry Pi’s because my main computer died and I’m waiting for a new laptop to ship. And I never used TeamViewer in my life.
BTW my mail is public, so I’m not concerned about being doxxed lol.
I changed my mail password which is a painless process and needed to be updated anyway.
What do you think? Should I watch my back?
It’s probably more accurately described as extortion phishing. With blackmail, I think you actually have to have damaging information that your withholding in return for payment (or other benefit). But this is clearly a non-targeted phishing attack sent to many individuals in the hopes of extorting a payment, without the sender actually having anything damaging on the recipient(s).
https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/extortion-phishing-scams-what-they-are-and-how-protect-yourself#defn-phishing
This is the refinishing of fishing from the link (have to click couple of times) that you provided:
In OP case, the person who is extorting money specially made it such that the victim can not contact them back. So they are not after confidential information, thus, not phishing.
But it looks like they coined a new term “extortion-phishing”.
Maybe this phishing definition and background on why that term was coined will resonate better.
From https://www.csoonline.com/article/514515/what-is-phishing-examples-types-and-techniques.html
Common phishing schemes involve getting someone to divulge some form of personal information but not all fall into this category. Phishing attempts can involve trying to trick the target into taking some form of action, including making a payment.