Fraudulently sent spam email that attempts to put pressure on the recipient and get them to take action. No malicious code is necessary for this scam. Typical features are:

• Fake sender
• Alleged threat or possession of compromising information about the recipient
• Request for payment (payment method)
• Going to the police is not very promising, as fraudsters usually operate abroad and are difficult to trace.

In most cases, the threat is unsubstantiated and can be safely ignored.

Examples are:

• “We hacked your mailbox. Here is your password: XXX”

The password is actually one you’ve used before. But did you really use the password for your mailbox?

The scam works like this: The passwords come from hacked websites (password leak) and some of them are ancient. If you are still using this password, then change it – a separate one for each website and application!

• “I hacked your PC and filmed you watching porn on webcam and will send it to all acquaintances if you don’t transfer Bitcoin”

The scam works like this: You receive an email with an innocuous link. If you click on it, the scammer knows a time when you used your browser. Maybe he can make you feel guilty with this information? However, experience has shown that he has not made the effort to break into your computer and steal videos and address books.

In all cases, the following applies:

• Take a deep breath and think.
• The scam is intended to put you under stress, so that you react rashly. Consciously do not do what is demanded of you!
• Think about how much truth there is in the threat (usually very little) and how much is only claimed.

YouTube video on a similar topic: SecuMail Hall of Scam: Technical Support Scam