Crime & Safety
Police Warn About Threatening Scams Using Images Of Your Home
Google map images using recipients home addresses are included in extortion emails threatening to release embarrassing, hacked information.
RYE, NY — A new extortion type of e-mail scam has been making the rounds in Westchester and Connecticut, according to police officials.
The e-mail contains personal information including but not limited to the homeowner’s address, first and last name as well as a picture of their home that is taken from Google maps. The e-mail then instructs the recipient to send money via a Bitcoin QR code.
The scam emails claim that the recipient's devices have been hacked, saying that they have proof that inappropriate information has been looked up or embarrassing websites have been visited. The scammers are attempting to extort the victims over images that they have supposedly captured from the hacked devices.
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"If you receive this e-mail you can file a complaint via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) ic3.gov and delete the e-mail," Rye Police Department officials said in a social media alert. "Do not scan the bitcoin QR code or send any money to anyone."
Police released screenshots of the actual threatening scam e-mails (below):
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