Consumer Protection WA says there’s been a rise in scam emails threatening to share intimate videos of people masturbating while watching porn.
The organisation is urging internet users to be cautious after receiving more than 70 reports of the scam since September.
The scam emails are designed to scare recipients into paying a ransom in Bitcoin.
The scammers use personal details like names, dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers to make the emails seem legitimate.
Consumer Protection believes these personal details came from recent data breaches.
One email shared by Consumer Protection on social media references Wellard, a suburb in Rockingham.
The email writer begins by telling the recipient they “ain’t playing games”.
“I actually placed Malware on a porn website, and you accessed it to watch,” the email reads.
“Been keeping tabs on your pathetic life for a while now.
“Yeah, Yeah, I’ve got footage of you doing embarrassing things in your house (nice setup, by the way).
“I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there’s whatever garbage you had been watching, and on the other part, it’s you **** off (sic).
“With just a single click, I can send this video to all of your contacts.”
The writer then says they will wipe everything clean if they receive a “privacy fee”.
“Your dirty secret will remain your secret. I will wipe everything clean once you come through with the payment,” the email reads.
They then ask for $2000 USD to be sent via a Bitcoin wallet.
Consumer Affairs says there is no evidence that the scammers who send the emails have access to webcams or computers.
They urged people not to respond or pay any money and report it via scamnet.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54
The emails should also be reported to Cyber Crime.
Anyone who has had personal information stolen or needs help recovering from the scam should contact IDCARE.org at 1800 595 160.