A new email scam is adding a very customized touch. Scammers are adding personal information, including photos of the recipient's home, in hopes of extorting recipients for money.

The email contains the recipient's name, address and phone number with an attachment, often times a PDF file in the person's name. Once the file opens it begins with a personalized greeting.

"I know that visiting (address) would be a more convenient way to contact if you don't act. Look familiar?"

A picture of the address listed is included. The email quickly becomes threatening.

"It's important you pay attention to this message right now. Take a moment to chill, breathe, and analyze it thoroughly. 'Cause we're about to discuss a deal between you and me, and I don't play games. You don't know me whereas I know EVERYTHING about you and right now, you are wondering how, right?"

The hacker claims to have compromised the recipient's computer and used their webcam to record videos of them. The email threatens to send video to all contacts if the recipient doesn't pay a Bitcoin ransom through a QR code. Fox News is saying most demands are between $2,000-$2,200.

The email concludes with another threat, "I don't make mistakes, (name). If I suspect that you've shared or discussed this message with anyone else, your shitty video will instantly start getting sent to your contacts."

Dan Ackerman, with Micro Center News, urges people to not respond, do not pay scammers any money, and report your email as spam or phishing.

"No matter how savvy you are you're going to say is this real, is this me?" explains Ackerman, "The good news is that 99.9% of the time, it's not. None of these blackmail scams are legitimate."

According to the FBI, predators are usually located outside of the United States and are motivated by financial gain. The FBI says to not send any compromising images or yourself to anyone. Do not open any attachments from people you don't know. Also, turn off and cover web cameras when you're not using them.

If you, or someone you know, is being exploited, you should contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.

News Source : https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/new-sextortion-scam-is-hitting-too-close-to-home/