Scam????

[hudsonvett]

My teenage son has received this email and is worrying about it.

I've told him it's a scam which I'm convinced it is but just to put his mind at rest, I thought I'd get some clarification on here.

It's been sent from his actual email address to himself, that's the part that's weird.

Best way forward - block himself on his email address if that's possible?

Clearly a scam.

Forgot to add second part of the email.

Of course it’s a scam

Just ignore it

Very common scam.
Delete and ignore.

I'd absolutely show that to the police.
Yes, it's a scam.

A scam- but why would he even be concerned? Perhaps a good time to chat about his online activities. If I got that I’d know it was utter shite and someone would be very bored if they saw the crap I do online… if you’re worried though, does that mean you’re up to some dodgy shit online?

My son has quite high anxiety so that's why I'm positing.

I can reassure him from these replies that it's a scam however just wondered if it was best to block himself on his own email address to stop
It happening again

Had a very similar email a few times, definitely a scam so just delete and ignore it. I think I may have changed my email password but nothing else.

He just needs to change his email password.

I think the police would be very interested. There will be multiple victims and possible suicides or self-harming from the victims. Some victims will do anything to avoid being exposed, even though they're the ones being victimised.

How horrible.

I'm sure it's a scam and is sent out to loads of people until someone panics enough to pay the scammed.

Your son should change his email password. Also have a chat about keeping his internet activities appropriate so that messages like this can instantly be discounted. The fact he's worried would indicate that he's been on some sites that are perhaps inappropriate.

He's autistic so it's a real worry for him.

He isn't able to look at anything he shouldn't be as I have the WiFi settings set to be safe. He is very vulnerable and naive. It's just caused him some panic - tears etc. I can read him these replies though which will hopefully put his mind at rest.

I knew it was a scam - just boggled at how it's done from his own email address. Never come across that before

I've had a similar one today, utter bollocks

We will change the password - thank you all.

Scam and a very bullying one at that.

Report it to: Action Fraud, so it's on record.

Honestly, there has been a recent case where a teenager killed herself, rather than be "exposed" by the scammer.

Please show this to the police. And reassure your son that nothing bad will happen to him at all.

Have you hoovered over the sent address, chances are it will be a very different address just made to look like his.

It’s a common scam and further advice can be found here:-

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/sextortion-scams-how-to-protect-yourself

YY to Action Fraud (and not the police who will redirect you to AF)

100% a scam. Millions of people receive stuff like this every day. Just ignore and delete. You might get similar ones in the future. Ignore and delete. These scammers just bank on the 1 in every 100 people who will think it’s real and send them payment to make it worth doing.

Absolutely a scam. I had similar years ago, it’s been doing the rounds for ages. If you google ‘cobalt strike beacon email’ you’ll find loads of people complaining about it. It’s unlikely to have come from his own email address, more likely his email was spoofed. Definitely change the password and use two factor authentication to keep his account safe.

This scam has been doing the rounds for years! He has nothing to worry about. Block, delete, ignore.

Poor kid. If your wifi is secured so he can't access dodgy porn have you tried asking him if he has been watching porn? Then when he says no, ask him how he thinks the scammer could have video if him doing that ???

it would reassure some of the Sen boys I know & others would think the scammer had used ai. It's a difficult one but you know your son & how he'd redact.

i had one a while ago & it is initially a bit scary, even when you're a NT 55 year old who doesn't look up dodgy porn!!

If you search the text, you can find the same blurb online - here is an example on reddit from a year ago - https://www.reddit.com/r/AskIreland/comments/15lur9e/email_scam_what_is_an_apt_hacking_group/

A scam, good lesson to ignore most of what you get sent unless you expect it!