Cryptocurrency Scam Alert: Portland Police Issue Warning
The Portland Police Bureau is warning residents about a recent increase in email blackmail scams targeting the city.
What to Expect
- Scammers send emails with the victim’s name in the subject line.
- Emails include the victim’s address and phone number.
- Attached files may contain personal information, including a Google Maps Street View picture of the victim’s residence.
- Scammers claim to possess sensitive information such as browsing history or personal photos and videos.
- They threaten to release this information to the victim’s contacts unless they receive payment in cryptocurrency.
- Scammers often create a sense of urgency with a false deadline of one day.
Protect Yourself
* **Do not open attachments from unknown senders.**
* **Do not reply to these emails.**
* **Delete the email immediately.**
Report the Scam
The Portland Police Bureau recommends reporting these scams to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):
* **[https://www.ic3.gov/](https://www.ic3.gov/)**
If you have lost funds to a scam within the City of Portland, you can also file a report on the Portland Police Bureau website:
* **[https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/cor/](https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/cor/)**
The FBI offers a variety of online resources about scams and safety:
* **[https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety](https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety)**
