FLORIDA – The Florida Sheriffs Association recently warned the public of a new online scam that is threatening email users with releasing their search history if they don’t pay a large amount of money.
The email includes the subject line: “I’ve got video of you doing filthy things in your house.”
In that email, the sender demands $2,000 in Bitcoin, threatening to send alleged footage of the person viewing adult content to everyone in their phone’s contact list if they don’t pay.
The email doesn’t stop there—it even includes a picture of the person’s home, making the threat feel even more personal.
A News4JAX viewer recently reported receiving one of these alarming messages, which began with, “You don’t know me, but I know A LOT about you.”
The scammer claims to have installed malware on adult websites, which allowed them to take control of the victim’s smartphone and record their activity.
The Florida Sheriffs Association has taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to advise the public not to fall for these scams.
They urged recipients to ignore the email and avoid interacting with it altogether.
Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney, a former member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department, explained that these scammers use fear to manipulate their victims.
“If they send a ton of these out and get just a few bites, it’s an easy day for them,” he said.
Hackney advised not to respond, as replying only gives scammers more leverage. He also warned against clicking any QR codes or sending any money.
“Once you respond, even a little, they know they’ve got you. That’s when they’ll continue pushing for more information,” Hackney said.
Victims may unknowingly provide more personal details, further compromising their security.
Authorities have noted that the attached pictures of victims’ homes are being pulled from the Google Maps Street View feature, adding another layer of deceit.
So far, it appears the scammers are specifically targeting Gmail users.
If you receive one of these emails, don’t panic. Simply ignore it, report it, and never send any money or personal information.