'I know A LOT about you': Police warn of Bitcoin extortion scam in Hamilton, Peel Region
A Hamilton Police officer is seen in this undated photo. (Twitter/@HamiltonPolice)
Police in Hamilton and Peel Region are warning the public of an extortion scam where scammers email individuals, threatening to share photos and videos of them "doing filthy things" if they do not immediately transfer Bitcoin.
On Friday, police said they received numerous reports about this scam.
In a copy of the email shared by both services, the fraudster writes to the victims that malware was installed after visiting an adult website, and now they have "complete control" over their device.
"I can look at everything on your display, flick on your cam and mic, and you wouldn't even notice. Oh, and I have got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too," the email reads.
The scammer then says they have been monitoring them for a while, and that they have video of the victim "doing filthy things" – footage they will send to all of the victim's contacts unless they pay up in Bitcoin within a day. In the email provided by Hamilton police, the suspect demanded $1,950. In another shared by Peel Regional Police, the scammer demanded US$2000.
In this scam, police say the suspect includes a photo of the victim's home, along with personal details like their name, date of birth and phone number to establish they know who the victim is.
"Once you pay up, you'll sleep like a baby. I keep my word," the fraudster wrote, adding that all evidence will be "wiped clean" once the payment has been transferred.
The suspect also says not to bother negotiating, replying, sharing this email or resetting their phone to factory settings, adding that it's "pointless."
Officers remind the public not to give out any personal information to strangers, be cautious when sharing that sort of information online, and to not open any emails, links or files from unknown senders.
Peel police said they, along with other law-enforcement agencies, are currently investigating this trend, and urge victims to report to their local police agency. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW
NEW With the U.S. election approaching, could American voters in Canada make a difference?
With the U.S. election widely predicted to be a close race, some believe American voters in Canada and overseas will be crucial in helping elect the new president about a month from now.
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
Grandparents found hugging each other after fallen tree killed them in their South Carolina home
As Hurricane Helene roared outside, the wind howling and branches snapping, John Savage went to his grandparents' bedroom to make sure they were OK.
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates What it's like to interview a narco
Drug smuggling is the main industry for Mexican cartels, but migrant smuggling is turning into a financial windfall. In this fourth instalment of CTV W5's 'Narco Jungle: The Death Train,' Avery Haines is in Juarez where she speaks with one of the human smugglers known as 'coyotes.'
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for defamatory Google review
A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Israel extends evacuation warnings in Lebanon, signalling a wider offensive
The Israeli military on Thursday warned people to evacuate a city and other communities in southern Lebanon that are north of a UN-declared buffer zone, signalling that it may widen a ground operation launched earlier this week against the Hezbollah militant group.
Ontario family devastated after losing thousands to online flight ticket scam
An Ontario family was planning a religious trip to Saudi Arabia that included 10 people, but when they were checking in for their flights, the family discovered some of their tickets were fake.
For Canadians seeking a non-mRNA COVID vaccine, lack of Novavax shot is 'unfair,' advocates say
The federal government's decision to not provide Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine this respiratory virus season raises health equity concerns, experts and advocates say, as some Canadians look to the U.S. to get the shot.
Albertan first Canadian veteran to compete in Mrs. Universe pageant
In less than a year, an Alberta woman has gone from gracing the stage at her first pageant to competing at the Mrs. Universe pageant in South Korea. She's making history by becoming the first Canadian veteran to compete internationally.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Quebec wants to tackle 'scourge' of sharing intimate images without consent
Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barette announced on Wednesday evening, in a highly original move, that the Quebec government was preparing to legislate on the sharing of intimate images without consent.
-
Family left with $7,000 vet bill after cat survives 11th-floor plunge
Eva Abdul Khalek is grateful. Her cat Luigi survived a fall from their 11th-floor balcony. The family believes the cat snuck out, likely through the balcony door that was left open.
-
Man, 82, expected to recover after being struck by vehicle crossing the street in Montreal
An 82-year-old man has serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Montreal.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Several schools in Kemptville and Iroquois, Ont. closed today after alleged threats, board says
Several schools are closed in Kemptville, Ont. today as police investigate a threat targeting a Catholic high school in the community.
-
OC Transpo expected to provide start date for Trillium Line trial running at technical briefing
OC Transpo will be providing an update today on the Trillium Line LRT, including an anticipated start date for trial running.
-
Most Canadians want employers to be flexible on hybrid work arrangements in the future, survey finds
Most Canadians want employers to be flexible on hybrid work policies in the future, saying work-from-home arrangements enhance employee productivity and well-being, according to a new survey.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
-
Ontario family devastated after losing thousands to online flight ticket scam
An Ontario family was planning a religious trip to Saudi Arabia that included 10 people, but when they were checking in for their flights, the family discovered some of their tickets were fake.
-
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for defamatory Google review
A B.C. man has been ordered to pay a total of $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google.
Kitchener
-
Tenants union fighting 'largest renovictor in Ontario'
Renters in Kitchener, Ont. have joined with a local tenants union to call out the 'largest renovictor in Ontario.'
-
Solving a 57-year-old mystery could depend on finding DNA match
What happened to two Ontario men who left on a fishing trip 57 years ago and never returned home? That's something police say could be answered with a DNA sample.
-
Elmira jewellery store closing up for good just shy of its 100th anniversary
The family-owned business, which has been a fixture on Arthur Street South since 1927, made the difficult decision to shut down following a smash and grab robbery back in June.
London
-
Client dies after visiting London’s Carepoint facility
An investigation is underway at London's safe consumption site after someone who visited the facility died.
-
Police cruiser struck on Highway 402, officer uninjured
According to police, the police vehicle was parked on the shoulder in a construction zone with its lights activated when it was struck by a tractor trailer traveling east.
-
SafeSpace leaving Old East Village location, transitioning to outreach service for women and sex workers
A drop-in shelter for women and gender-nonconforming Londoners living unsheltered is closing its doors in the Old East Village and transitioning to an outreach service.
Windsor
-
Downed power lines cause Chatham road closure
Police in Chatham are advising the public of a road closure. The intersection of Queen Street and Park Avenue is closed because of downed power lines.
-
'It was kind of like a job interview': Accused Windsorite admits to communications with terrorist organization
WARNING: This article contains content some may find offensive. Reader’s discretion is advised.
-
Windsor's emergency shelter system nearing capacity — and it's not even winter yet
Described as a "bubble on the edge of bursting," Windsor's emergency shelters are approaching maximum capacity much earlier than expected this year.
Barrie
-
Councillor Clare Riepma reprimanded, docked pay for code of conduct violations
Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma will be docked 15 days' pay and was sternly reprimanded for violating the City of Barrie's code of conduct on two separate occasions.
-
Aurora, Ont. man convicted of manslaughter after wife's disappearance sentenced
An Aurora, Ont. man who has maintained his innocence despite being convicted of killing his wife will learn his fate in a Newmarket courtroom on Wednesday.
-
Three-vehicle crash leads to impaired charges
Police responded to serious crash in Melanthon Township.
Winnipeg
-
Armed man dies following officer-involved shooting in Winnipeg apartment
A man has died and Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating after an officer-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon.
-
Unknown Canadian soldier from First World War identified as Manitoba man
The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.
-
Manitoba premier apologizes to defence lawyers as legislature session resumes
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has apologized to defence lawyers for comments he made in ousting one of his caucus members.
Atlantic
-
'Extremely disappointing': Pictou businesses feel the pain as P.E.I. ferries remain out of service
A Nova Scotia town which relies on tourists is feeling the impacts of cancelled ferry crossings to Prince Edward Island.
-
DFO seizes more than $100,000 worth of lobster from N.S. facility
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) seized more than 13,000 pounds of lobster – worth more than $100,000 – from a facility in Shelburne County, N.S., on Wednesday.
-
Demolition underway at Dartmouth motel sitting vacant for years
An old motel on Highfield Park Drive in Dartmouth, N.S., is being demolished after sitting vacant for a number of years.
N.L.
-
Marathon goat: Animal runner wins hearts and a medal after crashing Newfoundland race
He may not have logged the fastest time or even gone the full distance, but residents of a Newfoundland town agree the goat who unexpectedly joined the local weekend half marathon was the event's undisputed champion.
-
Labrador residents say 'inhumane' food prices force families to go hungry
A mother in a community where the cost of living is one of the highest in the country says grocery prices are 'inhumane' and retailers are putting profits ahead of people’s basic human right to food.
-
Small English soccer team has huge year, thanks in part to Newfoundland and Labrador
A soccer game in England on Tuesday night drove a spike in online traffic across the Atlantic to a website launched by the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
Edmonton
-
Albertan first Canadian veteran to compete in Mrs. Universe pageant
In less than a year, an Alberta woman has gone from gracing the stage at her first pageant to competing at the Mrs. Universe pageant in South Korea. She's making history by becoming the first Canadian veteran to compete internationally.
-
Federal minister says not possible to depoliticize Alberta transgender policy debate
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants to depoliticize the debate around upcoming legislation affecting transgender youth, but a federal minister says that's not possible.
-
Hinton getting more doctors but still experiencing ER interruptions
Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to recruit more doctors to Hinton, which has suffered multiple interruptions at its health-care centre this year.
Calgary
-
Calgary's quality of life takes hit amid rising costs, new report suggests
A new report from the Calgary Foundation paints a concerning picture of the city's quality of life, highlighting rising costs, housing challenges and safety concerns.
-
Phone, internet outage affects Rocky View Schools
A severed cable near Calgary is to blame for a phone and internet outage throughout the Rocky View Schools District, a statement from the school board said.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER One more cool day before a week of warm weather
Thursday will be very similar to Wednesday, but with less wind and fewer clouds in southern Alberta.
Regina
-
City of Regina council hears update on Lawson replacement costs, funding
Regina city councillors heard an update from administration on the Lawson Aquatic Centre replacement at Executive Committee Wednesday.
-
'A fundamental right': Saskatchewan advocacy group pushes for cost free contraception
The federal government announced plans to include contraception in their National Pharmacare plan earlier this year, and one Saskatchewan advocacy group is hopeful the province will jump on board.
-
'Thanks to the organization for sticking with me': Lauther prepares for 100th CFL game
When Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker, Brett Lauther, takes to the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Saturday it will mark his hundredth career Canadian Football League (CFL) game.
Saskatoon
-
Hard for voters to get excited about Saskatchewan's 'little election,' political scientist says
A Saskatoon-based political scientist doesn't expect Saskatchewan's provincial election to be dominated by large issues, explosive events or political fireworks prior to voting day on Oct. 28.
-
-
'An exciting way to meet people': Saskatoon photographer matches singles on blind date
A Saskatoon photographer is hoping to make some love connections through a unique blind dating. The idea came out of a need to help singles get offline and back to real in-person connections.
Vancouver
-
'Like going to a buffet with no one else in line': Housing sales stall in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley
New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.
-
Plea from B.C. election candidates: Stop trashing our campaign signs
The moment the writ was dropped for the Oct. 19 election, candidates all over B.C. began putting up campaign signs. By the following day, many of those signs had already been stolen or vandalized, and that’s continuing today.
-
New Westminster, B.C., aquatic facility named alongside Paris Olympic venue as world's most beautiful
What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.
Vancouver Island
-
Plea from B.C. election candidates: Stop trashing our campaign signs
The moment the writ was dropped for the Oct. 19 election, candidates all over B.C. began putting up campaign signs. By the following day, many of those signs had already been stolen or vandalized, and that’s continuing today.
-
DoorDash adds fees in response to B.C. gig worker wage law
DoorDash is increasing fees in British Columbia in response to recently passed provincial legislation.
-
Indigenous-led campaign against gender-based violence tells John Rustad to stop wearing its pin
A grassroots campaign to end gender-based violence has sent a letter to BC Conservative Leader John Rustad informing him it is withdrawing permission for him to wear its symbol.
