August 2024 Scam: Tech Support Schemes with a Twist of Blackmail
Most of us are familiar with tech support scams. Scammers impersonate legitimate tech support representatives from well-known companies contacting victims through pop-up ads, phone calls, or emails. They claim the victim's device is infected or compromised and offer to "fix" the problem. The scammer may request remote access to the victim's computer, allowing them to install malicious software, steal sensitive information, or charge exorbitant fees for fake services.
However, in some instances, these tech support schemes have taken a dark twist and have added an element of blackmail. In this situation, a user will receive a pop-message, call or email from “Apple Support” or “Apple’s Special Investigations Unit” that illegal child pornography (CP) is being stored in your cloud. In child pornography scams, scammers falsely accuse victims of accessing or possessing illegal content, such as CP. They use fear tactics, threatening to report the victim to authorities or publicize the alleged activities unless a ransom is paid. These accusations can be extremely distressing and are designed to coerce victims into compliance, even if they have done nothing wrong.
In both cases, scammers exploit fear and confusion to manipulate victims into giving up money, personal information, or control over their devices. It's crucial to remain vigilant, verify the legitimacy of any unsolicited contact, and report such incidents to appropriate authorities.
Tech support scams using blackmail involve scammers who impersonate legitimate tech support representatives and leverage fear tactics to manipulate victims. Here's how it typically works:
1. First Contact: Scammers may reach out through pop-up ads, unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from reputable tech companies. They often state that the victim's computer is infected with a virus or has been hacked.
2. Access: The scammer convinces the victim to allow remote access to their computer under the guise of "helping" to resolve the supposed issue. This access is often granted by having the victim install remote desktop software.
3. Planting/Discovering "Evidence": Scammers may plant malware or access sensitive files on the victim's device once they have access. They might also claim to find illegal or compromising content, such as pornographic material or stolen data, even if none exists.
4. Blackmail: The scammer then threatens the victim, claiming they will report the illegal activity to law enforcement or disclose it publicly unless a ransom is paid. The ransom may be demanded through payment of money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
5. Exploiting Fear: These threats scare the victim into complying quickly. The fear of legal repercussions, public embarrassment, or financial loss can push victims to pay the demanded amount.
6. Payment and Consequences: Even if the victim pays, scammers often continue to demand more money or use the obtained information to commit further fraud. Additionally, the victim's computer may still be compromised, leaving them vulnerable to future attacks.
To protect against these scams, individuals should be cautious of unsolicited tech support contacts, never grant remote access to unknown parties, and avoid paying ransoms. It's also important to report such incidents to the relevant authorities and seek professional help to secure affected devices.
If you believe that you have received a tech support scheme, you can submit a complaint to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) online at ic3.gov or with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Sources: fox59.com, lifehealth.com
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