Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
In recent months, the RCMP has received reports of a Bitcoin extortion scam, in which victims receive a threatening letter or email stating that they have been looking at “adult content” online. The scammers then state that malware on the victim’s computer has captured compromising images of the victim while browsing this content. A photo of the victim’s home is provided by the scammer, obtained from Google Street View, in an attempt to scare and extort the victim into providing payment, usually in the form of Bitcoin, in exchange for secrecy about their online activities.
Although these reports have primarily been received in other areas of Canada, the Northwest Territories RCMP have been made aware of recent, unsuccessful scam attempt linked to Yellowknife.
If a message of this nature is received, members of the public are cautioned not to comply with any demands and to instead contact your local detachment via the non-emergency line for assistance.