Summary:
Seaside Police warn of cryptocurrency extortion scams targeting victims.
Scammers demand money in cryptocurrency while claiming to have personal information.
They use Google Maps Street View images of victims' homes to pressure them.
Victims are advised to not panic, not respond, and report scams to the FBI.
Contact Seaside Police if you believe you've been scammed.
Seaside Police Warn of Cryptocurrency Extortion Scam
Seaside Police are sounding the alarm on extortion scams targeting victims through cryptocurrency. Scammers are sending emails demanding payments in cryptocurrency while falsely claiming to possess personal information or compromising photos of the victims.
To intensify their threats, these scammers include images of victims' homes sourced from Google Maps Street View. However, police assert that the scammers lack any real compromising information.
What to Do If You Encounter Such a Scam
If you receive a scam email, police advise the following steps:
- Do not panic
- Do not respond to the scammers
- Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Make sure to include all relevant details, such as the email header and any cryptocurrency addresses.
If you have already made a payment and suspect you have been scammed, contact the Seaside Police Department at 831-394-6811 for assistance.
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