EXTORTION SCAMS

Extortion e-mails are a type of scam, where cybercriminals send threatening messages to individuals or organisations demanding payment in exchange for not releasing sensitive or embarrassing information. These e-mails typically claim that the sender has compromising information, such as private photos or personal data and threaten to share it with the recipient’s friends, family or the public unless a payment is made.

The goal of these e-mails is to scare the recipient into paying the demanded amount, even though there might not be any compromising information to release.

WARNING SIGNS THAT IT MIGHT BE A SCAM

• You receive a call, message or an e-mail unexpectedly from someone
• claiming to be from a government department, debt collection agency or trusted company
• They will claim that you owe money and threaten you with legal action or arrest
• The caller will tell you that to fix the matter, you will need to pay a fee or fine
• The caller may ask for your personal information, such as your passport details, date of birth or bank information
• The caller may claim that the police will come to your doorstep and arrest you if you do not pay the fee or fine right away
• You may be asked to transfer money to an account to ‘keep it safe’ or for ‘further investigation’.

STEPS YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO TAKE

• Don’t be pressured by a threatening caller asking for money. Hang up and don’t respond
• Don’t pay anyone by unusual methods such as gifts, hampers, vouchers or wire transfers
• Don’t use any contact details provided by the caller. Verify their identity by calling the relevant organisation directly. Go to the organization’s official website and search for the contact details
• Do not respond to texts or e-mails. If you do, the scammers will increase their extortion attempts to get your money.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY TIPS

• Never send money or give credit card, online account details or identity information like your driver’s licence or passport to anyone you don’t know or trust. Never share them by e-mail or over the phone
• If you are concerned for your safety, contact the police
• If the scam is sent by e-mail, don’t open any attachments, don’t click on links and never download files. They can infect your computer with malware
• Report such incidents immediately to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in