Sextortion Threat Email Scam Script
Emails claim the sender has recorded you via your webcam during adult content viewing and threaten to share the footage with your contacts unless you pay a ransom in cryptocurrency.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I have been watching you for some time. I placed malware on an adult site you visited and it activated your webcam. I have footage of you and your browsing history. Pay [amount] in Bitcoin to [wallet] within 48 hours or I send it to all your contacts.
You may not know me but I know a lot about you. I have recorded you using your own camera while you visited [type of site]. Send [amount] BTC to avoid having this shared with your employer and family.
Your password is [old leaked password]. I have access to your device and have captured footage of you. Transfer [amount] in cryptocurrency within 24 hours or the recording goes public.
I have access to your email because your password was compromised. I installed a keylogger and have footage. This will disappear for [amount] in Bitcoin. The clock is running.
What the scammer wants
To frighten victims into paying a crypto ransom through shame and fear. The scammer almost never has genuine footage — they use leaked passwords from old data breaches to appear credible.
Red flags in the message
- Email includes a real old password harvested from a public data breach
- Claims of webcam recording without any actual footage shared
- Demand for Bitcoin or other crypto to a specific wallet address
- Tight deadline — 24 or 48 hours to pay
- Threat to send video to your contact list
A safe response
Do not pay. These emails are mass-blasted using leaked passwords — the scammer has no footage. Change the exposed password if it is still in use, and mark the email as spam.
What not to send
- Cryptocurrency payments
- Any personal confirmation that you viewed adult content
- Replies engaging with the threat
What to do if you already replied
- Do not pay further — payments do not stop the emails, they mark you as a target
- Change the password that appeared in the email everywhere you use it
- Report to the FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) or Action Fraud
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times