An increase in computer scams is being reported in Putnam County since the work from home restrictions began in March due to COVID-19. 

County Sheriff Robert Langley says one scam involves an email claiming that the suspect is in possession of recorded webcam video footage of the victim watching pornography. The suspect implies that he has malware/remote access to a victim’s computer to record video. The suspect then threatens to share the alleged footage with the victim’s Facebook friends and family unless the victim pays the suspect in the form of bitcoin. 

The scammer will often include  the victim’s valid, yet often old, password to prove that they had access, but it was likely obtained from an old data breach already on the dark web.  Recipients should not send payment or click any links. 

All passwords should be changed, and a complaint filed with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.  Anyone who suffered a financial loss because of this type of scam can report the crime to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at (845) 225-4300.