Over the last week SA Police have received more than a dozen reports of a blackmail spam email which threatens to expose customers of adultery website Ashley Madison.
The website – which markets itself as a facilitator of extramarital affairs – was hacked in August and user names and personal info was stolen.
An email is now circulating demanding payment from the recipient in an online currency called a Bitcoin, and threatening to expose their involvement with the website.
“The email is being sent to a wide range of people – whether they were registered with the website or not,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Barry Blundell.
“We’ve had more than a dozen reports in the last week and believe it’s just the tip of the iceberg as many more people will have simply deleted the email without advising police.”
Police also warned of an ATO scam, which has now seen South Australians lose sums of money ranging from $5000 to nearly $160,000.
“A vulnerable, elderly Adelaide woman has lost nearly half a million dollars,” said Detective Blundell.
The woman, aged in her 70s, received a letter claiming to be from the ‘Reclaim Department Australia’ that advised she was entitled to various sums of money once she made a final payment for ‘application charges’. Over time she was been duped into paying nearly $500,000.
“It is often older, isolated members of our community who are at most risk of being conned by these people,” said Detective Blundell.
“These fraudsters are heartless, greedy, persistent, manipulative and demanding – so it is vital that all South Australians are aware of these tactics.”
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