The recent tragic death of a UK teenager, who, as reported by au, took his own life after being blackmailed by online scammers over an intimate photo, has prompted WA Scam Net to issue a fresh warning about this type of scam.
It is very common for fraudsters to pretend to be a love interest online and to supply revealing photos that are either models or porn-stars, stolen images from social media accounts or websites, or even potentially pictures belonging to a fellow scam victim. With videos they may use Skype featuring a model and software that automates the responses to appear as though it is a human communicating with you real-time.
In another type of webcam-based scam, malware installed on your computer can be used to operate your built-in webcam, recording images of you without your knowledge. Stay Smart Online offers a guide to safe social networking, as well as some useful insights into real life scams - online dating.
This malware is known as a Remote Access Trojan or RAT and can remotely activate your webcam, at the same time, disabling your camera indicator light. The information provided here is of a general nature. If you require specific advice you should contact your local technical support provider.
It may take some time and seem extremely believable.
There have also been cases where the scammers have hacked into a computer and turned on the webcam to record the victim unknowingly e.g. Once the scammers have personal, sensitive photos or videos, they demand money in exchange for not releasing the material on the internet.The scammers may threaten to send compromising pictures or video footage of you to your friends, colleagues or family, or post it to your networks such as Skype contacts or Facebook friends.Others have threatened to post the footage to porn sites or You Tube.I don't want them to do the same thing to other people.Users of video services, such as Skype, should be aware of a variety of scams that may use footage and images captured without your knowledge, to blackmail you.