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POV: You open your inbox to the most terrifying email of all time. It’s addressed to you by name and begins:

“I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a moment to calm down, breathe, and think carefully. Because we are going to discuss an agreement between you and me, and I will not play any games.”

The sender has bad news

They say a hacker has hacked into your computer and used your webcam to record you watching porn. They are willing to send the video to all of your contacts unless you pay the ransom within 24 hours. Conveniently, they have included a QR code to scan and pay directly in the email.

It gets worse. The email also includes a photo of your yard and this note: “Would visiting (your exact address) be a more convenient way to contact you if you don’t take any action? Good location, by the way.”

Uh, panic mode, right? Finally, they tell you that if you respond or tell anyone, a compromising video will be immediately sent to your contacts.

This example isn’t just for show—it’s real. Sextortion scams have gotten out of hand and are becoming more and more common. even more personal.

Alarming growth

People are reporting receiving this exact email, including photos of their street or yard. The photos appear to be pulled from Google Maps or another online source.

The messages may also claim that your computer or phone has malware installed and that the sender is watching everything you do. To make things even more believable, they may include a password you used previously that was leaked in a data breach.

Sit your family down and talk about these types of scams now. If everyone knows how they work, your family is much safer. And if you get an email like this, don’t panic and don’t respond.

Blur your home online

It’s so disturbing to see your home in the news like this. Take a step now to stop them from attacking you.

For Google Maps:

• Open Google Maps or the Street View gallery and search for your address.
• Click Street View Photo you want blur. In the lower right corner, click Report a problemFill out the form and click To fold.

For Apple Maps:

• You need to send an email [email protected] directly. Provide your address and request that your home be blacked out.
• Provide additional property details, if applicable, so Apple knows which home to censor.

✅ This is very important information. Use the sharing icons below to help your family and friends know that this scam is spreading.

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Tags: Apple, Computer, Google, Malware