RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued what they are calling a “Cyber Alert,” to warn Tennesseans about a scam known as “Sextortion.”

Evidently, the scam begins with a simple email that some listeners / readers may have received. TBI officials suggested there has been an uptick in cases with an added personal touch. That personal touch includes the con-artist claiming that malware has captured compromising webcam footage of the potential victim. Scammers then threaten to send the video and pictures to loved ones, unless the victim pays a hefty sum in Bitcoin. According to the TBI, “What makes this unique is the email can include personal details, like your name, and a Google image of your home.”

Sextortion scam'sters also prey on children and teenagers. TBI Assistant Special Agent Rob Burkhart explained...

It's important to remember to never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are, or who they don't say they are. Don't send images out of fear. Furthermore, do not open attachments from people you don't know, and be wary of opening attachments even from those you do know. Attachments could include spyware or other programs that capture the files and passwords on your computer. The TBI also says that computer users should turn off and even cover any web cameras when not using them.