The Sextortion Scam - Wham! Bam! - That's a SCAM # 1
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- čas přidán 21. 03. 2021
- Sextortion is the name of a scam where an anonymous scammer demands payment on threat of publishing supposedly embarrassing information about you.
This video is intended to be a very condensed summary of what this scam is, and how you should react.
Here are some resources for further reading:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sextortion
blog.malwarebytes.com/social-...
computing.which.co.uk/hc/en-g...
www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.u... - Jak na to + styl
*FAQs and afterthoughts will appear in this comment* (Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to this addendum)
*This Short Format* - I'm not about to stop doing any of the longer scam-related content, so don't worry about that.
*checking if you have been implicated in a breach* - haveibeenpwned.com is an excellent resource that will tell you whether your email address has been involved in any data breaches
I'll check mine now
If you use Gmail and Google for password management, you can also go to Settings > Passwords> Check Passwords to see if you've been breached.
I have received this email on 2 separate occasions last year and of course ignored it.
1. Serious companies will NOT store your password in clear, they will *hash* it before. I would explain what it is but it would take too much space here. Basically your pwd is encrypted with a one-way mathematical function. Stealing it is completely useless.
2. And to make sure that well known passwords (e.g. qwerty, hello123) are not guessed with something called Rainbow Tables, the password can also be *salted* .
this is actually a good series of content (if you plant o make it a series, that is)
If you're a Firefox user, they have a similar service that also links in with their password manager. I think Chrome has started offering something similar. Lastpass has had this feature for quite a while.
I'd say a password manager is a must these days. It does make a bigger target for all your passwords in one place... But this is offset by these companies rarely (if ever) being involved in breaches anyway. It also means, if a randomly generated password is revealed in a breach of any other company, it keeps your other accounts protected.
You can also mitigate these with two-step authentication. Sadly, it has been proven this isn't a replacement for a secure password. But it's definitely another tool worth using in addition.
Hi Mike. I'm a postman and there is a scam going round via text message advising people that Royal Mail require a fee for the item to be delivered. They then ask for your bank details and clear it out. I get asked about this every day by confused customers. Perhaps you could shed some light and publicity to this.
I can second this, 'cause I damn near fell for it myself. Luckily my connection failed as I put my details in, and I cancelled my card immediately after, so nothing got stolen. But god it got close. I feel like a such an idiot for falling for it.
@@SuperPerry1000 don’t beat up on yourself too much about it, it happens man. I’d say always look up anything new that needs your bank info. Stay safe out there! :)
I know yer don't have pay it's but like you said coz folk arnt told wot to do my next door neighbour was worried coz he did not know how to do trid to get help but no help for people like me and him I know people can't read or write can't get help and they want to fine them is that fair
Just such a message arrived 20 minutes ago....
I get this one like twice a month, it's such a pain.
There is absolutely no way I’ll ever fall for something like this. My computer and my passwords are glarded and I recently installed a clode on my webcam
Cleverr
not like they know how to hack into a real webcam anyway
@@stupidsimmy Unless they get access to your inoppolity certificate
@@SvobodovaEva you say that like they're smart enough to know
@@stupidsimmy You'd be surprised at the coopherearion of these smughly individuals. Their cremous activites have only truenced with time.
Thanks so much for glarding us against these scams in record time sir
Is your account in a data clode too?
yeah he did a very good job of sintruning the scam to us. i think he should get a career as a professional mamtorgler.
idk what im doing anymore lmao
@@firewarrior8851 No, its in a tax clode which means he cant accept the glarded money
I don't understand, what do you mean by "glarding"? Please asciuntain.
@@Sergei_WHY Glarded money is money that has been shabambled and cannot be accepted by and sobility accounts in a tax clode. If the account is nobiliated, the tax clode is bypassed and the glarded money can be received.
The most embarrassing thing they could get from my webcam is unflattering, slouched images of me that make me look like my head is about a quarter of the size it actually is... while I stare into space and daydream.
Jokes in them I'm too poor to afford a webcam... or a computer for that matter.
Really good video for people who don't have much time. Personally I prefer the longer ones, but I still enjoyed it. Stay safe!
Thanks - yeah, the idea with these is to serve as little explainer type videos, to supplement the main content (I get a lot of people asking about this or that type of scam, so the plan is to build up a little series of these I can just link to)
@@AtomicShrimp
If you make this a CZcams Shorts
More people would watch it
@@AtomicShrimp Good idea. And as someone with a naturally short attention span I struggle to control on many days this is a great idea. Though your "waffling" actually manages to keep my attention so well done.
same here
@@barbarosbozkurt758 Just left a comment saying this too. Shorts are viewed exponentially more often than other forms of videos and can also result in massive spikes of new viewers.
I’ve gotten texts like that, threatening to expose me to my wife and family. Except I’m divorced, and I don’t talk to my family all that much. Just makes me think “Congratulations, you’ve turned my apathy into a strength.”
Lol haha
"OK"
“I have a tendency to waffle.”
Yes. And I come here with butter and syrup. The waffle is the best part, typically. :)
I love this:)
I'll bring the fresh coffee!
"We recorded you doing stuff" - I didn't know that the webcam on my laptop could see through the black, plastic cover. Maybe they "hacked" that ability into the hardware. 🤷 But that still leaves the question of how it recorded me when the laptop is closed (I use an external monitor and keyboard and mouse) and off to the side. 🤔 Those are some super hacking skills. 🤯
Pretty sure they mean doing stuff online
@@voivod6871 nope.
I dont even have a webcam, i want to learn that kind of hacking skills man
@@stonedmountainunicorn9532 yeah ikr. I received one a few years back, scared the shit out of me even though i’ve never had a webcam (desktop pc master race). I read my password, which I used for 100+ different websites and changed it right away. Now I use lastpass and 2FA for almost everything (important)!
LOL. I stepped on my laptop screen a couple of months back and had to do the same. Now the bandage covering my webcam is looking at the trackpad. I always used a wireless USB mouse and keyboard so it's no difference to me.
No sleep for these folks, they’re always coming up with new crap
Greedy thieves yeah
No rest for the wicked and the greedy.
NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN!!!!
I keep getting carp emails, something fishy going on......
I think they are doing it en porpoise!
I got this scam once. Absolutely pooped myself until I realised the most embarrassing thing I do on my laptop is eat yogurts in the bath😅
Good god! Shocking!
richard, is that you??!?!
Lmao !!
I’d pay to see that.
please tell me it's not plugged in
Most modern scams are due to a lack of glarding, be rest assured in this regard.
You have the wrong typ of account and need the proper verification form. Kindly fill up detals and forward form for paymen.
What is glarding?
i love how creative you are, constantly able to take a new spin on the same topic, and always aiming to educate and be helpful
I’d be happy to see more whambam scam crash courses.
i second this
How that guy recorded me through the covered up webcam doing things i don't do, really had mystified me for a while... lol
Yeah, I had one of these emails a few years ago. I demanded cash money for my performance he had been enjoying.
I keep my webcam covered too. And I don't look at porn.
@@LeesaDeAndrea liar
@@poppedweasel Did he pay you the cash money?
@@valpro4604 Sadly, no. :(
And what a performance it was.
I like it when you waffle! That said, this is a great idea-easily watchable and sharable. I hope this will be a regular series!
I enjoy the waffling too 😁
Personally, I enjoy when he pancakes.
Is it too much to hope for canned waffles one day?
That kind of video where you can start writing a comment while not even being halfway through, yet by the time you will be finished with your writing, the video will be over as well.
> start writing a comment while not even being halfway through
I don't understand people who do that. Surely it's better to see everything that's in the video, and then to check the comments to see if someone has already said what you wanted to mention. This is especially true here, where Atomic Shrimp tells us that he reads *all* the comments.
I'd love to see you cover some recipes in this format as well, could be great for more simple dishes to quickly gather up for a lunch
Interesting idea - thank you
@@AtomicShrimp Yes, I agree with this idea by Ahoy, as long as it is just simpler recipes or food preparation, or perhaps cooking techniques. Unless you are spinning off with subatomic shrimp lol
@Atomic Shrimp
No, please don't. That's NOT why I subbed here, & if I end up with a bunch of cooking recipes clogging my "feed", then I'll likely unsub.
However, as I don't wanna be TOO much of a godawful 'wet weekend' 😞, may I humbly suggest making an affiliate "Cooking With Atomic Shrimp" channel, should you go the "Naked Chef" way?
Cheers, & keep up the great work - channels like yours provide an invaluable service, & if I ever have ANY spare change (I'm on a fixed Invalid's Benefit, but live in hope*), I'd happily support your channel. But for now, those thanks will have to suffice, good sir! 👍☺️👍
(*That's a suburb of Wellington, NZ, haha)
(Edited for grammar)
P.S: This scam happened to me a few yearzago - I admit I did crap myself at first (NOT because the porn I'd been watching was nasty and/or illegal, I hasten to add), but obviously because I thought I may have indeed been hacked (though the fact they only revealed they had ONE of my passwords kind of gave that game away).
However, I hadn't just joined the World-Wide Web yesterday either, & had reasonable faith in my home computer security set-up (though of course I DID run extra virus scans, etc). One thing I DID know for sure, was to NOT to do ANYTHING these evil scumbags requested of me, but it was a slightly nerve-wracking couple of weeks nonetheless!
@@MothraBlues i know these are just youtube comments but you’re quite a captivating crafter of text, i must say
I actually got this scam, pretty recently. It did in fact include a real password of mine that I hadn't used for over a decade, but I'm proud to say I immediately recognized it as fraud and not a real threat. I did make sure that there was nowhere left that used that old password, however.
I'd like to think that your videos were what helped me to identify this as fake so quickly. So thanks!
I got one of these emails relatively recently - I have never used the password they gave before.
Thanks for spreading awareness about this stuff. My grandparents were almost scammed before I started watching, but luckily my grandma was suspicious long enough to break the scam. They claimed that "their oldest grandson" was in jail.
@@AleksLehti No I'm not. The oldest was in a different time zone and so he couldn't answer their phone call.
Haha. If my parents' oldest gr-son was in jail then he deserved it.
I got one of those grandma calls. I don't have kids much less grandkids.
Visited elderly friends in the UK a few (pre COVID) years ago...we’re in NZ.
Whilst there they git a Microsoft support call, so I had a fun time stringing them along...’ok, it’s showing an error message...shall I spell it for you? It says p.....I....s...s...o...f...f...’
Also ‘no, but there’s a key with an apple with a bite out of it’
Whenever I see those emails I'm almost tempted to reply with a "joke's on you, I'm into that", but I know that they'll never respond
This is such a great idea as a resource to explain to people what they are looking at. Sometimes it's just more convincing coming from someone else
Yes, backup validation!
Also, if you are worried about the unlikely possibility of something like that happening for real, maybe cover/unplug webcams when not using them.
And if you're really worried, do the same with your mobile device. Never point it somewhere awkward (don't forget, most have a front and back facing camera), or just cover it up.
Here I was thinking I'd procrastinate with one of your videos, and you intentionally throw me a time-saver! Hint taken
I like this format of quick, educational videos that get to the point and the summary graphic at the top was great 😊👍🏽
One humorous way to deal with these is to say "So you admit that you're in possession of child pornography?" while CCing it to a (fake) FBI site. I do this on my burner emails I use to harvest spam domains.
When I was visiting my parents, my mother got one of these emails and immediately flagged me over, before reading the whole thing. The opening threat about her password being stolen really worried her. Then I read the sextortion part to her until she was in tears laughing.
I find these emails hilarious personally. I don't have a webcam, and normally the passwords they show I haven't used in 10 years or more.
Working in IT, it was always weird when someone came to ask about one of these - always VERY keen to emphatically explain that 'it must be a mistake because I don't even visit those sort of web sites...'
@@AtomicShrimp Nobody visits those sort of web sites. They're too popular.
@@AtomicShrimp same here. but since being an IT means acting professional, I wouldn't judge or bring it up. I would just provide the information they needed and explained the scam.
yeah, it was like that for me too - them falling over themselves trying to explain what they never do. Me falling over myself to say 'of course, of course - these are just sent at random'
🤣🤣🤣 Probably "those sites" aren't above selling a list of email addresses - or at least, are regular targets of hackers to obtain said lists. Simple solution: really DON'T use those sites... But if you do, be aware you may be making yourself a target for those scams.
Thanks for giving us this information. I didn't have time for a longer video today, so this bite sized video was great!
Only found your channel recently and really enjoying going back through all your random walks and foraging! Keep these up! There amazing and so relaxing
Mike, you are amazing!! Thank you!! Sextortion scams are terrifying, it has happened to a friend of mine, absolutely scary
Another thing to note is this type of Sextortion scams also occur as popups on websites, might not necessarily be via email only. NEVER FALL FOR IT!
My mother almost fell for one of these with a popup claiming to be from the police. Luckily instead of following its instructions she took the laptop to an actual police station where they cleared up that it was a scam.
@@masterplusmargarita that's strangely sweet and wholesome
THIS!! I have had LITERALLY dozens of various forms of this email. I have not been concerned since the beginning because I have done absolutely nothing that they claim I’ve been doing. It makes my blood boil, that they could be getting other people who are not aware of these type of scams.
Well how do you think I feel, as a single male with unilateral biceps hypertrophy? Threatened!
(Joking...honest....well, my biceps are normal)
You are in my relaxation time, I'm not desperate to complete something in 60 seconds when I'm on my relaxation time.
My father once got this scam...my father who literally uses computers so little my mother does all his emails. So yeah. These scams are never true
So your dad goes on adult websites?
@@waivx he doesn't even know how
@@TyroneBruinsmaFilms keep telling yourself that
@@SvobodovaEva he's telling the truth. his mum is the one who knows how to log into brazzers
@@SvobodovaEva If he never uses a computer, it's perfectly possible he really doesn't know that.
I got that exact email probably several years ago, just without the password. I ignored it, and nothing happened. Glad that you covered this.
This is an awesome video idea, hopefully this format becomes a series!
Scammers don't have the time to sit there and watch what you get up to, so the threat is totally false. These emails could be sent to many tens of thousands of people and in most cases won't even be read by the recipient, as they'll usually be directed to your junk mail folder or even be sent to inactive email accounts. They work on the principal that if you throw enough at something eventually it'll stick. If only one in a thousand people respond, then it's already worth it for the scammer, as it takes very little effort to send out thousands of emails . So when an email of this type uses a time constraint, then this is a completely false threat. However, I have heard of more advanced versions of this scam being discussed on Reddit, where the victim has been coerced into a video call by a catfish to later find out their entire interaction was recorded.
I liked the bar at the top showing the progress of the video and what topic it was covering. There needs to be more information videos like this. Nice one.
This is the perfect format to forward to friends and relatives. Great job!
Thanks - yeah, that's sort of the intent here - to try to make this so that anyone could watch it in a spare minute - if it helps, good, if not, it's only a minute
I really liked the format! I would love to see more of these for different scamming methods. I'd say more than 60s is perfectly fine, but keeping it brisk and to-the-point was great. Good stuff!
This short-format needs to become a series. It will save a lot of people from sleepless nights.
Yes, if they are sleeping they won't be doing naughty things.
I'm pretty sure the plan was for it to become a series, what with the catchy name and the numbered format
While I love the long videos, sometimes I'm in the mood for a crisp snack than a hearty meal and this fast-paced informative video is just amazing. The timer up top is a nice touch!
Thank you for this! I've got this so many times and glad to see a legend like you has finally covered it
Love your "waffling" videos! Passwords changed!
More please... many many more.
I have nothing but love for you Mike!
People need to understand, think, know, never panic and always know where their towel is...
Thanks for this - I remember the first time I got one of these, the feeling of terror that runs through you!
I really enjoy that your channel has so much variety I never get bored with it. Variety is the spice... well you know... 😉😉
I love the somewhat longer videos you make, and I appreciate this type of video just as much. And I also like the status bar you had at the top of the screen. That was a neat idea!
Thank you for spreading awareness in an easy, digestible way. Your long form scambaiting stuff is hilarious, but this little nugget of education is particularly helpful (and doesn't take as much of your time, love your waffle-laden varied content beside techy stuff too).
Scam alarm bells were ringing when my dad got one of these a while back, but it's good to know how it was accomplished.
Major fan of your waffling here, just checking in. Cheers Mike, hope the times are treating you well. Thanks much and take care.
You could probably go two minutes and not have to rush so much, but I highly appreciate this format. :D Get that info out there quickly!
I really enjoy the short format!
So glad u makes theses videos , I work in the finance sector and and always reflect in emails u have been sent and how u deal with them, u kick Martin Lewis’s arse
What, a video without the waffle? I'm here specifically for the waffle! ;) Seriously, great video and thanks for informing people.
I'm a simple man. If I see a new video from Atomic Shrimp, I click the Like button before playing the video.
You should use that button with care: it could be a scam, you know. 😋
I mean, if you "recorded" me playing with myself, somehow, you have probably liked the performance, right?
Thank You. While my laptop is usually for binge watching youtube videos, and the occasional blog post, I can see how this could be a problem.
I like your videos, the short ones, and the longer ones. My favorite was the critters in a jar where we watched life happen. I'm glad you released the critters though.
Hugs.
Would love to see you go out of your way to bait a scammer using this tactic. Great video as always
Thanks for valuing our time, Shrimp, but watching any of your videos made to inform us are ALWAYS worth our time.
This is cool. You didn't use the new "short" ultra short form feature youtube is pushing to compete with Tik-Tok, IG, FB and such. With a bit of tweaking this would be the perfect series for that.
I used to get these all the time. Not so much anymore... I kind of miss them honestly. They were good for a laugh.
Hi there! Love these videos! It's so great to let people know how to avoid being scammed and entertaining while you scam bait! I just received one of these emails, and I feel glad that I deleted it and then watched this video. Very reassuring! Thanks for putting these videos out there! Keep up the good work!
I got one of these.
I do not have a webcam or any other way I could have been recorded.
They also asked for more money than I had.
I had a good chuckle
Great job on the video - brief, yet detailed. I could actually see this video being used in places of education (hopefully with your permission and not just stolen)
You’re one of the few channels I like long videos
Great format!
I'll be honest with you man I've been watching your channel a long time and it has no bearing at all what you're talking about I just love your freaking voice and the way you explain things and so I'm there no matter what. Good video once again my brother stay safe
Fun new format! I'd love to see a series of these, they would make a good companion to your other scam baiting videos.
I love the longer videos but great for educating people!
I tend to enjoy your waffling, your voice is very calming!
I got an email like that once. I was reallty frightened by it until I realised they couldn't possibly have recorded anything because I had never visited 'adult websites' and my computer was shite, the camera was broken.
Nice PSA, thank you.
I'm always happy 💛 for a new Atomic Shrimp upload.
Sorta SAD that today's ShrimpWorld visit is just 1.36; thank you for your brevity nonetheless.
I quite enjoyed the short snappy video! Very helpful!
Another great video, looking forward to more like it!
Thank you for the shout out, your sister seems a lovely person! Have a nice night!
That was informative. I would love to see more of these types of videos. Thanks!
Great idea! A short video that can easily be send to people who might not know about this/ who we feel might be at risk of falling for this type of scam/scams in general. The lenght make it easier to digest and more approchable i think.
That's what I'm hoping - like "[insert title of hapless relative], just watch this - it's only a minute" type of thing.
Lol I’ve been getting emails like this for a few years now. I know you said don’t respond to them, but my go to response is always “Oh good, I could never figure out how to record myself while I was having a wank while keeping my tabs open. Glad that someone got it on video, go right ahead and post the video, I’m sure millions of people will be happy to finally see me choke the chicken”
Usually doesn’t get a response, but it is always fun when one does respond and keep trying to milk the payment.
While I appreciate what you're trying to do, keeping things all concise and to the point, I'm an O.G. with this channel. I'm quite literally HERE for the waffling, because while we're complete strangers who live several thousand miles apart, you're someone who has created a series of experiences that we've shared, and listening to you waffle has become sort of akin to having a conversation with a friend that I see around the neighborhood once or twice a week.
So whereas usually we have a nice chat and go on our ways, today you were in a hurry and shuffled off.
I mean none of this as criticism of any kind. On the contrary, I'm aiming to be reassuring and complimentary of what you do, because I have a deep appreciation for it. Whatever you do, just keep up the great work, Mike.
I'm looking forward to this series
Thanks for the usual PSA!
The first time I got this type of email, I must admit I was REALLY worried.
Then I realised I don't have a webcam so it must be BS. And of course it was.
I never have to worry as I don't watch that garbage. My first husband was highly addicted to it, and that was before internet
Thanks for this video. I consider myself better average at identifying scams but seeing an actual password I once used would probably send me into panic mode 😬
As you always AS you smash out the facts. Good on you.
Keep it up.
I received one of these a few days ago... Luckily I'm someone who knows what was going on, but I can imagine a person without that much instruction falling for one of these.
I got one of those "oh my god is this you?" messages today. I deleted it and blocked the person. But unfortunately I can see why some would panic. I did for a moment when I first got one after stopping talking to an ex (altogether, he liked to mess with his exes so decided I wouldn't let him get to me).
But it was soon clear after quick research it was a scam. I love these videos and I imagine how many people you help out there.
man those moving topic progress bars all being the same length is very satisfying
Nice format.
Thanks! I've been following your scambaiting videos and one day some of those emails arrived to my inbox, it was nothing like what I've seen before. I panicked a bit, but I knew it was a scam ('cause no proof other than a bit of code that just says my email between some brackets) and if not, I would've not paid either. I had a few reasons to think that the mail said the truth, that's why I panicked. Anyway, 48 hours after opening a mail created from my own inbox with an ultra hightech software is a really, really long time, no news yet. Very useful video, thanks again!
This man just did a speed run of informational scam content. Gotta be some kind of record.👏👏👏
My actual, verbatim response to the title of this video was "come again?" which I think is pretty funny. Also, I like your waffling.
i had this hahahaha my heart fell through my floor when i saw a password i had used before but yeah just throw it in the bin i have 2fa set up and not registered to any sites etc so it was ruled out garbage. hope you and jenny are well :) and im in a montage of watching your videos lately. don’t know what it is about them they’re just better than anything els at the moment
this was interesting but love ur waffling too❗❗❤️
I got one of those e-mails myself. The password in it, however, came from when I partially fell for a phishing e-mail, so there's definitely some intertrading going on
Thank you, theres much more to say but you hit all the key points that could possibly be fit into a human attention span. I have a few family members who need to be reminded of this.
Fabulous video! I can see this being really useful (though slightly embarrassing haha) for less computer literate relatives.
i'm liking this new series
Im always curious about what they claim ive done. What do you have a video of? Me eating popcorn while binge watching game of thrones? Good for you man, release it
This is great! I can use this to teach my students about common phishing attempts. I teach computer classes. Thank you! (would love to see more vids like this)