Scammers Threaten To Reveal Bergen County Victims' Browser History: Police

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Would you be embarrassed if your family and neighbors knew what you've been looking at on the internet? Scammers apparently think so.

In a new scam, according to the Glen Rock police, a fraudster has been contacting area residents, saying they have to pay up or their internet browser history will be revealed.

In one case, on Saturday, a Glen Rock resident reported receiving an email "attempting to extort $2,000 from them in exchange for not disclosing personal information concerning their internet browser history," police said.

The person didn't respond and didn't lose any money, police said.

Then, on Sunday, police said, a resident got an email "attempting to extort money from them via Bitcoin in exchange for not disclosing personal information concerning their internet browser history."

The email was similar to the one from Saturday, police said. The resident in that case also ignored it.

"These types of scams are extremely common nationwide and are generally automated," said the Glen Rock police this week. "Scammers often obtain emails and other personal information purchased illegally on the dark web to contact victims, stating that they have the victim’s personal information, and often include a photo of the victim’s home, and instructions to make payment via Bitcoin to avoid repercussions."

Police added, "If you receive one of these emails, do not engage or share any personal information such as birthdates, phone numbers,
Social Security numbers or any financial information and never make any payments."

Read other recent Bergen County crime news here.