Authorities Warning Southern Oregon Residents of Blackmail Extortion Scam
Authorities are alerting the public to a blackmail extortion scam that has recently emerged in Southern Oregon. According to the Medford Police Department and Josephine County Sheriff's Office, scammers are e-mailing individuals claiming they have knowledge of something about you and are using it as leverage to blackmail you out of money. Victims have reported receiving e-mails from individuals claiming to have personal, incriminating information. The scammers have obtained names, phone numbers and addresses, and they are sure to include that personal information to try to bolster their story. They are also using online images of your home and including them in the e-mail to prove they know where you live. The scammer then demands payment via Bitcoin to prevent release of this alleged incriminating information. This is a scam. Law enforcement strongly advised the public not to pay attention. If payment is made, the scammer will likely continue to exploit the victim for more money. Do not engage with them and simply delete the e-mail. If the e-mails persist, contact your local law enforcement agency. Online scam artists are continually evolving their tactics. To protect yourself, do not open e-mails from unknown senders, do not click on suspicious attachments, and be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar individuals on social media. If you've received these e-mails, report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at "ic3.gov."
Posted on 9/20/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh