Imagine opening your inbox to find an email with the subject line: ‘Your privacy is gone.’ The message inside is even more alarming: ‘Hello pervert.’
Even more chilling, it appears to have come from your own email address. The sender claims to have hacked your computer, recorded you in a compromising act, and threatens to send the footage to everyone you know—unless you pay up.
If this sounds like a nightmare, you’re not alone. This is the latest wave of ‘sextortion’ scams sweeping across Australia and the world, and it’s leaving many people, especially those less familiar with the tricks of cybercriminals, feeling frightened, embarrassed, and unsure of what to do next.
What is a sextortion scam?
Sextortion scams are a form of phishing attack where scammers try to coerce victims into paying a ransom by claiming to have compromising videos or images of them.
The emails are designed to shock and shame, often using threatening language and technical jargon to sound convincing.
In some cases, the scammer will even include a password you’ve used in the past, making the threat feel all the more real.
A common scam version claims the sender has installed sophisticated spyware, sometimes even naming infamous programs like ‘Pegasus’, on your device.
They allege this software has secretly recorded you via your webcam while you visited adult websites. The scammer then threatens to send these supposed videos to your friends, family, and colleagues unless you pay a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency.
Why do these scams feel so convincing?
Cybercriminals are getting smarter. They often ‘spoof’ your own email address, making it look like the message came from you.
To add credibility, they may include old passwords, harvested from previous data breaches. The technical details—references to spyware, hacking, and even the ability to track when you open the email—are designed to scare you into acting quickly and without thinking.
But here’s the truth: in almost all cases, the scammer has no video, no access to your device, and no intention of following through on their threats.
They’re playing a numbers game, sending out thousands of emails in the hope that a few frightened recipients will pay up.
What should you do if you receive a sextortion email?
1. Don’t panic. Remember, these emails are designed to scare you. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that the vast majority of these threats are empty.
2. Do not reply or pay. Responding confirms your email address is active, and paying only encourages further scams. There’s no guarantee the scammer will ‘delete the videos’ as promised—in fact, you may become a bigger target.
3. Don’t open attachments or click links. These could contain malware or lead to phishing sites.
4. Change your passwords. If the email includes a password you still use, change it immediately. Use a strong, unique password for each account, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
5. Check if your data has been breached. Visit haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email or passwords have been exposed in past data leaks.
6. Report the scam. In Australia, you can report phishing emails to ReportCyber or forward suspicious emails to your email provider’s abuse team. If you’ve lost money, contact your local police.
7. Delete the email. Once you’ve taken the necessary steps, delete the message and move on.
Why are older Australians targeted?
While anyone can fall victim to these scams, older Australians are often targeted because scammers assume they may be less familiar with the latest cyber threats or more likely to be embarrassed by the content of the email.
The emotional manipulation is deliberate—scammers want you to act quickly, before you have time to think or seek advice.
How to protect yourself in the future
Stay informed. Scams are constantly evolving. Subscribe to updates from the Australian Cyber Security Centre or Scamwatch to stay ahead of the latest threats.
Use strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
Enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
Cover your webcam when not in use. While most sextortion scams are fake, it’s a good habit to cover your camera for peace of mind, physically.
Talk about it. If you receive a scam email, don’t be embarrassed—share your experience with friends and family. The more we talk about these scams, the less power they have.
What if you’ve already paid or feel overwhelmed?
If you’ve already sent money, contact your bank and local police as soon as possible. And remember, you’re not alone—support is available.
Organisations like IDCARE and Lifeline (13 11 14) can provide advice and emotional support.
Have you or someone you know received a scam email like this? How did you handle it? Share your story in the comments below—your experience could help others stay safe.
Stay vigilant, stay informed, and remember: when it comes to online scams, knowledge is your best defence.
Also read: Online scams are on the rise—here’s how Meta says you can protect yourself
Great article Don – the trouble is we do not get any feed back from the scam people, so we don’t report them. My question is – how come it appears that scams in Australia is so much on the increase and yet it SEEMS that nothing is being done by Government? and we rely on people like Don to make us MORE aware of inherent problems, particularly for us seniors. To be honest, I do not believe that our Government give a shit about us seniors or others who are not ” computer literate ” – Thanks ” Yourlifechoices ” for printing this article.
Thanks, Tomtom, Frank, and Sue!
It’s also why we make sure to feature scams when we come across any, even the ones that have been around for ages like ‘Hi Mum’.
If even just one person finds the information posted useful when the time comes, then it will all have been worth it.
I totally agree Tomtom. But I have tagged emails as scams and moved them to a scam folder, but Telstra does not seem to block them later when the same scam emails get into my inbox. Luckily I am mostly very cautious when I see the same time after time. What I find useful is where at the top of the email says who it is addressed to there is a drop down arrow, click on that and it will tell you who it is from. If you do not recognize them immediately mark it as scam and it should go straight to the scam folder, supposedly for them to block any further mail from them.
What secret videos?
My webcam on my computers is covered up with a piece of Dymo tape, so nothing can be ‘seen’ or ‘recorded’, so if I do receive any ‘nasty’ email, I just delete it, as I know that it can’t be ‘acted on’.