Online porn scam uses your own passwords to extort $

It is not clear how scammer acquire the passwords. (Credit: Getty-contributor)

CONCORD - The state Attorney General's Office is urging New Hampshire residents to be aware of a recent uptick in reported cases of an email scam commonly referred to as the "Sexploitation Scam."

During the past week, New Hampshire residents have reported receiving emails from scammers containing a current or former password in the subject line.

The scammers use the recipients' passwords to create the impression that they have hacked into their computer and gained control of their webcam.

The emails inform the recipients that the scammers have recorded the recipient visiting pornographic websites. The emails threaten to send the videos to the recipients' phone and Facebook contacts unless the recipients purchases $2,000 in bitcoin and transfer the funds to the scammer within 24 hours.

It is unclear at this time how the scammers obtain recipients' passwords.

The "Sexploitation Scam" has existed in various forms for several years. Anyone receiving similar emails should be aware that the email is a scam. All New Hampshire residents are urged to take the following precautions:

• Never send money or personal information to someone you don't know.
• If you receive an email asking for money or personal information, you should delete the email immediately without engaging with the sender.

• If you receive this type of scam email, you should change all passwords immediately.

• Everyone should consider changing on-line passwords every few months, using strong passwords, and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

• Any request to purchase bitcoin or gift cards made telephonically or online should be considered to be a scam.

For more info or to report a scam:

• Phone: 1-888-468-4454
• Email: DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov
• Website: www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/