Police are warning Kiwis to be vigilant after scammers have been blackmailing the public through email.
The scammers send an email to victims telling them their computer has been hacked and a video has been taken through their webcam showing that they've looked at pornographic websites, police confirmed in a statement. They then threaten to send the video to the victim's friends and family unless they're paid $1900 through in Bitcoin.
The scammers also claim to know people's passwords and in some cases have listed actual passwords that the victim has used in the past.
Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill says Waitemata Police are currently investigating a number of recent reports of this scam.
"Unfortunately some of the victims have been so concerned that a video of themselves would be leaked that they have paid money to the scammers.
"We ask anyone who believes they are a victim of this scam and has transferred money to contact Police by phoning 105."
The police advise that anyone who receives an email like this that it is a scam and it should be immediately deleted.
They also recommend that passwords are updated regularly, but it's particularly important to change them if the scammer lists a password you currently use in the email to you.
