LinkedIn is being used for the scam of ‘epic sextortion’

Cybercrime is a nuisance that has the ability and can affect anyone and everyone who uses the Internet. It may be apps, email or banking services almost everywhere the threat of cybercrime is lurking. Though, this fresh scam reported by cybersecurity research firm Digital Shadows has thrown light on a different type of cybercrime. It has got all the ingredients for an ordinary Hollywood film as it includes almost everything like blackmail, social media, sex, and helpless protagonists.

Here are a few things that you need to know about this hazardous cybercrime:

• Cybercriminals target those who are vulnerable to ‘sextortion’
• The extortionist offers the user with a known password as “proof” of compromise, then claims to have video footage of the victim watching adult content online
• Cybercriminals make use of LinkedIn profiles to find victims
• People who are targeted are relative high net-worth individuals (HNIs), which includes doctors and lawyers
• Victims are insisted to pay a ransom to a specified Bitcoin (BTC) address
• Cybercriminals are selling blackmail guides for as much as $10
• How does a ‘sextortion’ tactic work: Criminals begin by creating a profile and then embark on an online relationship with a married man and then threatens to reveal details of the affair with his partner unless huge money is paid
• Cybercriminals are offering salaries as high as Rs 7.7 crore to get involved in this scam
• From July 2018 to February 2019. About 89,000 unique recipients faced some 792,000 extortion attempts against them
• On average, victims have paid Rs 39,000 to these sextortionists