‘Hello pervert’ email: Hoax or real privacy threat?

A new email scam has surfaced where scammers claim to have compromised your webcam and threaten to release footage unless a ransom is paid. 

The fraudulent email often starts with the phrase "Hello pervert" and may appear to come from your own email address, making it seem more convincing.

The email typically claims that footage of you, possibly engaged in inappropriate activities, has been recorded through your webcam. Scammers demand payment within a specific time frame to prevent the footage from being shared with your email contacts. Some versions of the scam even reference Pegasus spyware to appear more threatening, or include old passwords obtained from previous data breaches.

Cybersecurity experts from Malwarebytes strongly advise against replying to these emails, as doing so can confirm to scammers that the address is active, leading to further attempts at fraud. Users are also urged to change any compromised passwords immediately and avoid clicking on any suspicious attachments to prevent malware infections.

Victims have reported feeling shaken after receiving these messages, with many sharing their experiences on social media. While these scams are unsettling, experts emphasize that they are hoaxes designed to exploit fear rather than legitimate threats.