Don’t get caught with your pants down!
The internet offers a lot of interesting doors and delivers numerous advantages and opportunities to millions of people all over the world. However, it is saddening to know that there are some who are taking advantage of these opportunities and resort to fraud in order to get what they want.
As you deal with people through the cyber world, you are unable to determine the ones who offer a sincere friendship or the ones who operate behind the doors of lies and deceit.
How does the webcam blackmail scam work?
This scam usually originates from some dating or social networking sites where the scammers try to befriend you and build a relationship with you. Further along the conversation, he/she asks for your Skype details to start a video call with them. Please note that these people have pre-recorded videos and displays sexually explicit videos and eventually, persuade you to perform for them.
As you begin to doubt this person’s motives, they shall threaten you to expose the videos to public sites or send it to your friends in exchange of money. If you think that you are safe just because you denied their request of displaying lascivious acts through the webcam, think again. Through the power of Photoshop, these scammers can edit your photos and allow the public to believe that this is an original image of you.
What to do in this situation?
- Keep calm and think rationally. You can get through this.
- Block that person from your social networking account and end all communication with that person. Also, avoid accepting friend requests during this period.
- If you have been provided with a link of your video, report it so it will be deleted.
- Save the person’s details and keep it guarded for a week or so. Having their accounts blocked would not be advantageous as they can create a new account and proceed with their plans.
- Set up a Google alert so you shall be notified with new uploads.
- After this, post the scammer’s details on different forums and warn others.
Since these scammers work at a fast pace, you shall be in the clear within a couple of weeks.
PS: Maximize your Skype experience by using Supertintin. It is an interesting app which can be used to record Skype video calls. As a responsible adult, we trust that you shall put it to good use.
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