If you’ve ever opened your email to find a message with a subject line like 'Your privacy is gone' or, even more alarmingly, 'Hello pervert', you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not the first.

A new wave of online scams is targeting everyday Australians, and this one is particularly nasty.

It’s called a 'sextortion' scam, and it’s designed to frighten, shame, and extort money from innocent people.

Let’s break down what’s happening, how these scams work, and—most importantly—what you should do if you receive one of these emails.

Sextortion scams are a form of phishing attack where cybercriminals claim to have compromising information or videos of you—usually alleging that you’ve been caught visiting adult websites or engaging in private acts.

The scammer threatens to release this supposed footage to your friends, family, or colleagues unless you pay a ransom, often in cryptocurrency.

A new 'sextortion' scam is being circulated, with ransom demands made over alleged compromising videos. Credit: Depositphotos

To make matters worse, these emails often appear to come from your email address, making them seem even more convincing.

Some even include old passwords you may have used, which can be deeply unsettling.

Scam emails like this tend to follow a predictable pattern.

They usually begin with an alarming message meant to shock or frighten you, such as 'Hello pervert' or 'Your privacy is gone.'

The scammer then claims to have installed advanced spyware—sometimes even naming tools like 'Pegasus'—which supposedly let them access your webcam.

To make the threat feel more real, the email may include a password you’ve used before, likely sourced from a past data breach.

The message then escalates to a threat, warning that a compromising video will be sent to your contacts unless you pay.

Finally, the scammer demands a ransom—often around $1,450 in cryptocurrency—to be paid within 48 hours.

It’s all designed to make you panic and act quickly—before you have time to think it through.

Scammers are getting smarter. By using your own email address as the sender or including a real password you’ve used in the past, they make the threat feel personal and real.

The truth is, in nearly every case, these scammers are bluffing—they don’t have access to your webcam or device, they haven’t recorded anything, and they’re simply relying on fear or embarrassment to pressure you into paying.

The password they include is usually from an old data breach—nothing to do with your current device security.

If you receive a sextortion email, don’t panic—these scammers rely on mass emails and fear tactics to trick people into paying.

Avoid responding, as it confirms your email is active and can make you a bigger target.

Never open attachments or click links, as they may contain malware or lead to phishing sites.

If the email mentions a password you still use, change it immediately and switch to strong, unique passwords with two-factor authentication where possible.

Report the email to [email protected] (Australian Cyber Security Centre), then delete it. Lastly, check whether your details have been exposed in past data breaches by visiting haveibeenpwned.com.

If you’ve sent money, don’t feel embarrassed—these scams are crafted to play on your emotions—but it’s important to act quickly.

Contact your bank or financial institution straight away to see if the payment can be stopped.

Report the incident to the police through the Australian Cyber Security Centre or your local station.

And if you’re feeling distressed, reach out to support services like Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)—you don’t have to deal with it alone.

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To protect yourself in the future, use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Stay cautious of suspicious emails, especially those that use fear or demand payment, and make sure your devices and antivirus software are always up to date.

It’s also important to educate friends and family—particularly those who may be less familiar with technology—about these kinds of scams.

Unfortunately, scammers often target older Australians, believing they may be less familiar with online threats or more likely to be embarrassed into paying.

But knowledge is power! By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Key Takeaways

• A new 'sextortion' email scam is circulating, in which scammers claim to have compromising videos of the recipient and demand a ransom payment in cryptocurrency.
• The fraudulent email often appears to come from the recipient’s own account, sometimes includes an old password, and threatens to share the alleged videos with all contacts unless money is paid within 48 hours.
• Cybersecurity experts advise that these emails are generic phishing attacks; the scammers rarely have any actual compromising material and usually obtain passwords from old data breaches.
• Recipients should not respond or pay the ransom, should delete the email, and change any compromised passwords, as well as report the scam to authorities and seek emotional support if needed.

Have you received a suspicious email like this? Did it include an old password or make wild claims about your online activity? Share your experience in the comments below—your story could help warn others in our community!

 

[Gian T]

@SandyM, Thanks for your feedback! We’ve updated the headline and apologise for any confusion.