A new variant of the ongoing sextortion scam has recently emerged, targeting spouses by claiming that their partner is cheating on them. In this version, the scammer sends an email to one spouse, allegedly revealing proof of infidelity through hacked data from the other partner’s devices. The email claims to have gathered sensitive information such as social media history, contact lists, and even dating app activity, all supposedly backed up and accessible for a fee. The scammers demand payment, typically between $500 and $5,000, to prevent the information from being shared with family and friends.
The sextortion emails in this variant are unsettlingly personal, with scammers using full names and even obscure details such as maiden names or pet names, which causes confusion among victims. Many recipients have reported receiving these emails and were concerned about how the scammers obtained such specific information. Some believe the information might have been sourced from wedding planning sites like The Knot, as many victims recall sharing personal details on such platforms. While the exact source remains unclear, the connection to The Knot has not been confirmed.
Recipients of the emails are often alarmed by the claims and are tempted to click on links included in the messages. However, these links typically lead to phishing sites or attempts to distribute malware. Although the scam is now widely recognized, the personalized nature of the emails makes them still appear credible to some recipients. In particular, the fraudulent claim that hackers have gathered and backed up all of a spouse’s private information fuels the anxiety and stress of the targeted individuals, even though the claims are entirely false.
Despite the continued success of these scams, many victims are now better equipped to recognize them and simply delete the emails. The heightened awareness of sextortion attempts, combined with the widespread nature of such scams over the past several years, means fewer people are falling for them. However, these scams remain distressing to those who receive them, and it is crucial to remind people that these emails are scams. Victims are advised not to click on any links in the emails and to delete them immediately.
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