# Got a ransom note from a bitcoiner? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228 "2018-07-19T21:19:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/41 "2018-07-21T15:50:40Z")
If I were going to send you a convincing demand for payment I would also send you a snippet of the the video that I’d collected. I’d do that because it help to convince you that I was absolutely serious about what I’d done. It would get you writing a cheque very swiftly indeed. That they haven’t send you even the barest screen-capture of that video is all the evidence you need. They have nothing other than an old password and weak threat. Ignore them. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/42 "2018-09-10T22:21:28Z")
Just found one of these in my spam folder, says they hacked into my phone. I don’t even have a smartphone and the number they gave is for the _landline!_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/43 "2018-09-10T22:32:06Z")
I got a similar scam e-mail, which is hilarious: I have two working computers. One has no camera. The other has a camera, but I keep it covered unless I’m using it at the moment. I haven’t used the camera probably in 5 years. I last visited a porn site in the 20th Century FFS, I’m over 50 and I spent 30 years married - no one who knows me would be shocked that I have sex, masturbate, or have porn preferences. In fact, I’m so vanilla most people would find my porn boring. Except for that one series of vampire erotica… which I shared with my mother on my own. She liked it, too. I don’t have that many contacts left, what with my family dying over over the past decade, and don’t keep them on my computer but on my flip phone. Which doesn’t connect to the internet. In other words - I am not the target demographic. I had a laugh and chucked it into the bit bucket. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/44 "2018-09-10T22:46:29Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Just found one of these in my spam folder, says they hacked into my phone. > > I don’t even have a smartphone and the number they gave is for the _landline!_ 😃 They’ve gotten even more insidiouser than we thought! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/45 "2018-09-10T23:02:29Z")
Ha ha! I have no contacts! 😃 Hey, wait… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/46 "2018-09-10T23:14:47Z")
Our local Police Dept sent out almost an identical email that residents here are getting. It is 100% a scam, so ignore it. Although you may want to report it to local police, as I’m sure the scammers are successful sometimes or they wouldn’t keep harassing people. Police here traced the IP address to an anonymous proxy server, so they can’t tell who is behind it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/47 "2018-09-11T07:17:08Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > …which I shared with my mother on my own. She liked it, too. People who share porn with their mother. There’s a whole nother category or two of kink right there. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/48 "2018-09-11T07:41:43Z")
> [@kbear](#): > > My husband opened one this evening just before we went out for his birthday dinner. He has spent the better part of the last two hours insisting that he hasn’t been watching porn on his laptop and it has taken me until just now to convince him that it’s a scam. �� He’s sure doing a lot of protesting!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/49 "2018-09-11T09:25:00Z")
I have been getting these for a few weeks. Oddly, I am only getting them on my work email account which has never been used at all for recreational purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/50 "2018-09-11T11:43:44Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > People who share porn with their mother. There’s a whole nother category or two of kink right there. We didn’t sit down to read it together - what you think women didn’t recommend _Fifty Shades of Grey_ to women in their circle, including relatives? “Hey, mom - I really enjoyed this book, you might, too - just so you know, it’s really racy and explicit.” (Mom and I didn’t read that series - neither of us have any interest in bondage. Also, mom died before it came out.) Some of us grew up learning that sex was a normal activity for adult human beings. Which is why I wouldn’t be embarrassed if people who know me found out that I have sexual interests and activity. It should be about as surprising as facts like I burp, fart, and shit. Don’t talk about those things all the time, but they happen. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/51 "2018-09-11T12:43:02Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Our local Police Dept sent out almost an identical email that residents here are getting. It is 100% a scam, so ignore it. Wow, your P.D. must be desperate for money. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/52 "2018-09-11T18:52:06Z")
Glad to see this thread, here is the note I received, I LOL’d: > [@](#): > > Subject: You are my victim ZJ3kdjzP > > You can visit the police station but they cant help you. > I dont live in your country. So they can not trace me even for 3 weeks. > > Your device was infected by my malicious soft. > I had access to your web-cam, at the moment you went to the porn web-page. > Now we have the video with your masturbation. > Your contacts are copied on our disc so if you ask me to stay silent we need to be paid 400 Euros in bitcoins. > > This is my wallet address 1D9734C2EaYKPWzDAJCECMX7yTMUGr3A5t > (something like a credit card number) > > We give you 28 hours after you open this message to complete the transaction. > If you need 48 hours just write back +. > > If you want me to show proofs we will send everything to 6 mates from your data after that you will be given their links. If you want you will be able to ask if something strange was received about you. > > Bye. Dont forget about the disgrace. After I finished laughing I wondered what the overlap between people that would fall for this and people that could pay a random Bitcoin address would be. Not very big I’d imagine. PS: Don’t forget about the disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/53 "2018-09-11T22:18:40Z")
I’ve heard that the professional ransomware operations will have tech support to walk you through the bitcoin transactions. I’m pretty sure these “we caught you masturbating” spammers don’t. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/54 "2018-09-11T23:01:17Z")
The one I got recently was way classy. It said I had been “caught in the process of your onanism”. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/55 "2018-09-12T16:07:16Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > The one I got recently was way classy. It said I had been “caught in the process of your onanism”. How do they know you were refusing to impregnate your dead brother’s widow? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DiversionImmersion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@DiversionImmersion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiversionImmersion)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/56 "2018-09-27T07:40:22Z")
Damn, these emails are getting out of hand already, really tired of them. The thing is I am already flooded with emails consisting of such nonsense. The only difference is that letters on my email are not that scsammy and are just informational for the most part. Fun fact is that I actually became interested in all that stuff and even looked through some genesis mining roi here [https://cloudminingpro.net/genesis-mining/](https://cloudminingpro.net/genesis-mining/) since I wanna try investing some of my money in it. AS for the letters, I would contact the police quite likely, even though they may not find the scammer. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/57 "2018-09-27T09:03:55Z")
I got one just a couple of days ago. Here’s the text: Hey. It’s me! Your future friend or enemy. You do not know me and think why I received this letter. I am sorry for my english, its not my native language. I learn more machine language - code. I hack phones and save information from them. I installed you a program with the functions of saving video and saving typing. When you visited the sites that interest me. (Sites containing porn.) My program recorded video from your screen with simultaneous connection to your camera. Saying thanks to the phone manufacturers. This mode - Split Screen. Also, I saved a full backup of your phone, which contains all your files. History of correspondence, browser history and all telephone contacts during the hacking. Saying thanks to the phone manufacturers. This mode - backup. You think what I should do. And, of course, you are furious. You have to make a choice. And remember. You make choice, what will happen next in your life. 1. You can delete and ignore this email. When I return, I will see that the letter is being viewed. In this case, I will be able to share this personal record with your contacts. To track the reading of a message and the actions in it, I use the facebook pixel. Thanks to them. (Everything that is used for the authorities can help us.) More you can find out by the link. [https://www.facebook.com/](https://www.facebook.com/) business/help/898185560232180?helpref=faq\_content 1. You can write or call to the police, and shout nervous. Catch the hacker. Save my life. They will investigate the hacked ip and hacked mail. In order to find me and protect you. I think time is too small for this, 48 hours before sending the files. In this case, I will be able to share this personal record with your contacts. The police will not save you from the ridicule of friends, colleagues and family. You want live with this? In my practice, there were cases when people had to change the whole way of life and place of residence. They wanted to pay, but it was too late. It’s time, and the files have been sent. Everything that is downloaded on the Internet there and will remain forever. More information you can find on request in Google “Beyonce wants this photo removed” 1. I want to get paid for the work done. We all want our work to be paid. (Even if it was not a wanted job.) I want 1000 USD. In Bitcoin My wallet BTC Address: 1EkAVVDg8Rbwwa7j9DbvHQ7VmQ4FkBdEGT (CASE sensitive, copy and paste it carefully) If you have any questions, you can write me. Email will be available for short-term support. For payment after opening the letter 48 hours. Pay me and you make new choice. 4. Receiving video only personally. 5. Delete all the data. Time has begun. ####@$$$ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/58 "2018-09-27T11:08:39Z")
Who knew Yoda did ransoms? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/59 "2018-09-27T11:25:18Z")
1. Bitcoin wallets are tied to real people and real credit cards. It can take some effort, but a Bitcoin wallet can lead to the identity of the scammer. The authorities won’t be interested in casual scamming, because it’s too much hassle. But the option is there. 2. OTOH, googling a wallet number takes no effort whatsoever and it can it quickly reveal that lots of other people are receiving that exact scam & wallet ID. 3. Don’t give them your money. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228/60 "2018-09-27T13:54:31Z")
> [@](#): > > call to the police, and shout nervous. This is my new favorite phrase. Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-a-ransom-note-from-a-bitcoiner/818228.md?page=4)