Hi, Emma. I Am Sorry. You Are Busted.
Scammers are working hard.
I love to check the spam folder in my email account. I have to say that Google does a great job at identifying dangerous emails and carefully sorting them into the respective folders. Some scams are hilarious because they insult our intelligence, while others take a while to unveil themselves.
I recently received an email from Emma and Warren Buffett. I will focus on Emma in this story and leave Warren Buffett for the next.
As a start to this story, I want to quote Emma’s email, verbatim ac literatim, before making any comments. See below: -
Greetings! I have to share bad news with you. Approximately few months ago I gained access to your devices, which you use for internet browsing. After that, I started tracking your internet activities. Here is the sequence of events: Some time ago I purchased access to email accounts from hackers (nowadays, it is quite simple to purchase such things online). Obviously, I easily managed to log in to your email account ([email protected]). One week later, I installed a Trojan virus for the Operating Systems of all devices that you use to access your email. In fact, it was not really hard at all (since you were following the links from your inbox emails). All ingenious is simple. =) This software provides me with access to all the controllers on your devices (e.g., your microphone, video camera and keyboard). I have downloaded all your information, data, photos, web browsing history to my servers. I have access to all your messagers, social networks, emails, chat history and contacts list. My virus continuously refreshes the signatures (it is driver-based), and hence remains invisible for antivirus software. Likewise, I guess by now you understand why I have stayed undetected until this letter… While gathering information about you, I have discovered that you are a big fan of adult websites. You really love visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, while enjoying an enormous amount of pleasure. Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you masturbate and reach orgasms. If you have doubts, I can make a few clicks of my mouse and all your videos will be shared to your friends, colleagues and relatives. I have also no issue at all to make them available for public access. I guess, you really don’t want that to happen, considering the specificity of the videos you like to watch, (you know perfectly well what I mean) it will cause a true catastrophe for you. Let’s settle it this way: You transfer $1500 USD to me (in bitcoin equivalent according to the exchange rate at the moment of funds transfer), and once the transfer is received, I will delete all this dirty stuff right away. After that we will forget about each other. I also promise to deactivate and delete all the harmful software from your devices. Trust me, I keep my word. This is a fair deal and the price is quite low, considering that I have been checking out your profile and traffic for some time by now. In case you don’t know how to purchase and transfer bitcoins — you can use any modern search engine. Here is my bitcoin wallet: 1GGZpqXsqKWSRnjJ1SHFaE5VPkMHHsKToX You have less than 48 hours from the moment you opened this email (precisely 2 days). Things you need to avoid from doing: *Do not reply me (I have created this email inside your inbox and generated the return address). *Do not try to contact police and other security services. In addition, forget about telling this to you friends. If I discover that (as you can see, it is really not so hard, considering that I control all your systems) — your video will be shared to the public at large right away. *Don’t try to find me — it is absolutely pointless. All the cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous. *Don’t try to reinstall the OS on your devices or throw them away. It is pointless as well, since all the videos have already been saved on remote servers. Things you don’t need to worry about: *That I won’t be able to receive your funds transfer. — Don’t worry, I will see it right away, once you complete the transfer, since I continuously track all your activities (my trojan virus has got a remote-control feature, something like TeamViewer). *That I will share your videos anyway after you complete the funds transfer. — Trust me, I have no point to continue creating troubles in your life. If I really wanted that, I would have done it long time ago! Everything will be done in a fair manner! One more thing… Don’t get caught in similar kinds of situations anymore in future! My advice — keep changing all your passwords on a frequent basis
This is the entire email that Emma sent me. Let me address Emma openly from this point onwards.
An Open Letter To Emma.
I have read your email multiple times, and I learned something each time I read it. Every point of anxiety has been dispelled by self-audits, and I would like to address them below.
#1 — On The Accuracy Of My Email Address.
Thank you for highlight my email address. I am not impressed. I plastered my official email address on LinkedIn (and other platforms) so prospects, clients, connections can reach me. I guess you have. Haha!
Look, Emma. If you can figure out my email address, you are intelligent enough to indicate my name at the start of the email.
Greetings, Aldric sounds nice. Greetings, Chen is okay too. Speak to me, alright? Address the email to me.
Try harder.
#2 — On Adult Websites.
It is funny that you are monitoring this because I barely had any time for that. I mean, thank you for noticing it. I need to be more discreet about it!
You really love visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, while enduring an enormous amount of pleasure.
Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you masturbate and reach orgasms.
Hmm. Let me say something.
For one, I really do not know what joy you derive from watching me watching an adult video. You correctly pointed out that I derived enormous pleasure from visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, right?
Do me a favor, Emma. Please go watch the videos yourself. Watching me watch them makes me shy. Oh my gosh, I am blushing.
Yeah, right.
#3 — On The USD 1,500 Deal Based On Bitcoin.
I want to thank you sincerely for letting me know my videos are worth USD 1,500. I never knew that part of my life can be monetized!
That said.
Emma, please. Stay updated with the times. 1 Bitcoin is valued at USD 48,990.18 today. I would have to go through a lot of trouble to pay you if you insist on a cryptocurrency equivalent of USD 1,500.
You have to mention other cryptocurrencies of a lower valuation, so it is easier to transfer lower denominations.
Come on, Emma. Wake up to the facts. You are a scammer, and I am the victim. Commercially, you are the seller of bad news, and I am the buyer. I am not likely to purchase from you if the payment process is too complicated for me.
Therefore, thank you for the offer. I am out.
#4 — On Your Bitcoin Wallet Identification.
Let me give you a free lesson on Sales, Emma. If you want to be a successful sales professional or scammer, never ever assume that your prospect is dumb.
I checked your Bitcoin wallet identification on Coinbase. It seems like you have a bad reputation, and it is not anonymous.
Apparently, you have been reported 3 times within a day. You are famous enough, so I will spare you the headache for the 4th time.
Takeaway.
I want to give you some credit, Emma. There is an element of truth in your email worthy of spreading to others. Allow me the honor to do so.
We must keep our passwords fresh. We create and replicate passwords out of habit and convenience. It is entirely possible to use the same password for 4 bank accounts. Convenience, invite hackers and scammers.
So, IT IS a good practice to maintain different passwords and change them frequently for safeguards and mental health.
After all, there are too many Emmas around trying to get us to monetize our own content.
Am I right, Emma?
Stay Safe And Verify All Scams.
Aldric
Sources of Self-Audit.
Related Story from the Author.
About the Author:
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure.
Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.
Because simplicity adds value.
And with clarity — We grow.