The Saanich Police Department is warning the public of a Bitcoin-related extortion scam after receiving multiple reports from Greater Victoria residents.
The department says the scam starts with an email claiming the recipient has viewed "adult content" online and that malware has captured compromising photos or videos.
The scammer includes a Google Street View image of the recipient’s home and other personal details to prove they know where the recipient lives, then they demand money be deposited into a Bitcoin wallet, threatening to send the images to family and friends if the demand is not met.
"Fortunately, none of the individuals who reported the scam complied with the demands and instead contacted the police," noted a news release from Saanich PD. "We urge everyone to be cautious of suspicious emails. If you receive such an email, please report it to the police. Additionally, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre via their online reporting portal."
Police urge residents to immediately report all threatening messages to police and not to reply to them. They say residents should limit sharing personal information on social media and to be suspicious of unsolicited messages, and to not send money "under pressure".
