“Hello Pervert” Sextortion Scams Ramp Up with Higher Ransom Demands

Sextortion scams are escalating, with the latest wave of threatening emails—often beginning with “Hello pervert”—now demanding up to $1,650 from victims. These emails claim to have recorded compromising footage through the victim’s webcam and threaten to release it unless a cryptocurrency payment is made.

This classic scam relies on fear, shame, and urgency. The email typically alleges that the sender has hacked the recipient’s device and captured private moments. Though the accusations are false in most cases, the threatening tone and inclusion of old, leaked passwords from past data breaches are designed to create panic and appear credible.

Earlier versions of the scam demanded $1,200 or $1,450. The recent hike may signal scammers’ belief that fear-driven victims are willing to pay more—or it could reflect rising costs in running these criminal operations.

What You Should Do:

• Stay Calm: These are mass scam attempts with no real footage involved.

• Do Not Respond: Replying confirms your email is active and may lead to further targeting.

• Don’t Open Attachments: These emails may carry malware.

• Change Passwords: If the email contains a real password you still use, change it immediately.

• Enable MFA: Use an authenticator app or hardware key for added protection.

• Report the Scam: Forward the email to your provider’s abuse team or cybercrime authorities.

• Check for Breaches: Use sites like Have I Been Pwned to see if your data has been leaked.

Awareness and caution remain your best defense.