Peel police warn of scam threatening to release intimate photos

Peel police are warning people about a new extortion scam where scammers send emails threatening to expose intimate photos or sensitive information unless a victim pays a ransom through Bitcoin.

In a news release on Friday, police said victims have reported emails claiming to have acquired intimate images or compromising information from a person's internet browser. 

The email demands that the victim send funds through a Bitcoin wallet, address or QR code, or threatens the images and information will be made public or sent to the person's family. The amount demanded is often $2,000, police said.

"If you have received an extortion email, do not comply with the threat," police said.

A copy of on such email shared by police indicate scammers use a victim's name, address, phone number and street-view images of the victim's home. That information is likely been obtained phishing, police added.

Phishing is the "fraudulent practice of sending emails, texts, or other messages purporting to be from legitimate companies to induce an unsuspecting person to share personal information such as financial information or passwords," police say.

Police warn not to share personal information or information about your computers or electronic devices.

"Providing such information can allow a perpetrator remote access to your device and steal your personal information," police said in the release.

Police also recommend that members of the public:

• Don't open emails, files, or links from unknown sources.
• Be mindful when sharing information on social media.
• Don't comply with a threat if they have received an extortion email. Don't continue communication.
• If they have transferred funds, they should check to see if they have been collected. If not, they should cancel the payment.
• Keep all records of correspondence, including usernames and account information.

Anyone who has been a victim of this scam is urged to report it to police.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre posted a copy of one such threat on X, formerly Twitter, earlier on Friday.