Why That Scammer Claiming to Have Your Search History Probably Doesn't

That creepy hacker in your email who says he filmed you visiting an adult website and wants you to send him bitcoins to keep his mouth shut is most likely just a scammer who bought your email address after a data breach.

Federal and state police across the country have warned of an increase in email “sextortion” scams this month. The Maryland State Police said in a statement Thursday that reports of one sextortion scam targeting Gmail users increased in August and September.

In these scams, someone tells a victim they have access to embarrassing search history or compromising photos. The scammers then demand money or pass it on to family and friends. They are almost always bluffing, police say.

Inducing fear and taking the time factor into account are some of the most common tactics scammers use to quickly get victims to hand over large sums of money before anyone realizes they’ve been scammed.

“Scammers want you to act before you have time to think,” the FTC says. “They may say that your computer is about to be compromised. They may also tell you to keep the conversation a secret from your friends and family.”

According to the FTC, these types of email sextortion first emerged in 2020, when the number of people reporting that someone had hacked their computer and recorded them while they were visiting adult websites increased.

The FTC says these emails usually reach victims after their personal information has been exposed in a data breach. This means the scammers may have access to your email and even some of your current or former passwords, but they can’t access your computer or search history.

“The scammers may claim they have access to your computer or webcam, or that they have installed clever software to defeat you. It’s all talk,” the FTC said.

According to police, some scammers in Maryland even added images of the victim’s home from Google Maps to their threats to make them appear credible.

The Maryland State Police says you should be cautious about any “unsolicited” emails you receive on your Gmail account to avoid falling victim to a scam. The department says you should not share personal information online and be careful about clicking on links, even if they seem legitimate.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Maryland scam.

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