Webcam blackmail on Facebook
Solved/Closed
Hello everyone,
We have been receiving distress calls from men who have been trapped by the brouteurs of Abidjan, for a new scam via Facebook.
The scenario is always the same:
- First contact on a chat site (like NRJ Chat, for example) or a more "risqué" site
- Nice conversation with a "pretty girl"
- Continuation of the conversation on MSN, requested by "the girl," who discreetly questions the guy (if he has a Facebook profile, his phone number, where he lives, etc.)
- The girl suggests having some fun and turns the guy on by asking him to show himself on webcam
- The guy complies
- Immediately after, the "girl" changes her tone and shows the video of the guy she just recorded
- She demands money, otherwise she will share the video with the guy's Facebook friends and on YouTube
It goes without saying that the "girl" doesn't exist, and if the victim saw her on webcam, it was just a video taken from a dating or porn site...
The scammer behind the computer is a small-time scammer from Abidjan, a "brouteur," who will do everything in his power to scare the victim and harass them to achieve his goals.
Example of what the victim receives:
"Hello Mr ...... ....... don't run away, it won't help, I know everything about you, etc., you must send me 100 euros via Western Union so I can delete your video."
Then she says: send 200 euros, otherwise I'll send your video to your work and to all your friends on Facebook, etc... If the victim refuses: if you don't do it, you're a dead man, I'll call the police, Interpol, etc. and I'll file a complaint against you and have you prosecuted."
Another example:
"If you see this video, it's of you, and if you see it, don't try to run away because if you do, I might ruin your life and make your life impossible. Don't think that this video of you is to please you!!! Because I am more than determined to deploy all the forces at my disposal to ruin your life and make your life inaccessible..."
I have intentionally left these texts with their recognizable mistakes, as these scammers are often very young and write (and speak) French very poorly.
The classic webcam blackmail coming from so-called Ivoirian prosecutors (Ange Kessy, Raymond Tchimou), commissioners, and other police officers, or from the French ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire, seems to be replaced by "Facebook blackmail."
Facebook users, especially young people, accept anyone as a "friend," which allows brouteurs and other scammers to easily infiltrate profiles and gain access to all the information they need to blackmail you or scam your other friends.
Never give your name, first name, address, phone number, etc. to someone you don't know and have never met in real life.
Since April 2009, 953 videos made by these scammers have been reported and removed from YouTube, not counting those that have not been found and those whose victims have not spoken...
It is essential to put an end to this scam, so talk about it with those around you, warn your friends...
We have been receiving distress calls from men who have been trapped by the brouteurs of Abidjan, for a new scam via Facebook.
The scenario is always the same:
- First contact on a chat site (like NRJ Chat, for example) or a more "risqué" site
- Nice conversation with a "pretty girl"
- Continuation of the conversation on MSN, requested by "the girl," who discreetly questions the guy (if he has a Facebook profile, his phone number, where he lives, etc.)
- The girl suggests having some fun and turns the guy on by asking him to show himself on webcam
- The guy complies
- Immediately after, the "girl" changes her tone and shows the video of the guy she just recorded
- She demands money, otherwise she will share the video with the guy's Facebook friends and on YouTube
It goes without saying that the "girl" doesn't exist, and if the victim saw her on webcam, it was just a video taken from a dating or porn site...
The scammer behind the computer is a small-time scammer from Abidjan, a "brouteur," who will do everything in his power to scare the victim and harass them to achieve his goals.
Example of what the victim receives:
"Hello Mr ...... ....... don't run away, it won't help, I know everything about you, etc., you must send me 100 euros via Western Union so I can delete your video."
Then she says: send 200 euros, otherwise I'll send your video to your work and to all your friends on Facebook, etc... If the victim refuses: if you don't do it, you're a dead man, I'll call the police, Interpol, etc. and I'll file a complaint against you and have you prosecuted."
Another example:
"If you see this video, it's of you, and if you see it, don't try to run away because if you do, I might ruin your life and make your life impossible. Don't think that this video of you is to please you!!! Because I am more than determined to deploy all the forces at my disposal to ruin your life and make your life inaccessible..."
I have intentionally left these texts with their recognizable mistakes, as these scammers are often very young and write (and speak) French very poorly.
The classic webcam blackmail coming from so-called Ivoirian prosecutors (Ange Kessy, Raymond Tchimou), commissioners, and other police officers, or from the French ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire, seems to be replaced by "Facebook blackmail."
Facebook users, especially young people, accept anyone as a "friend," which allows brouteurs and other scammers to easily infiltrate profiles and gain access to all the information they need to blackmail you or scam your other friends.
Never give your name, first name, address, phone number, etc. to someone you don't know and have never met in real life.
Since April 2009, 953 videos made by these scammers have been reported and removed from YouTube, not counting those that have not been found and those whose victims have not spoken...
It is essential to put an end to this scam, so talk about it with those around you, warn your friends...
22 réponses
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Suivant
Hello,
I just want to respond to some comments that say "You shouldn't have done that, you bunch of idiots, you deserve it."
Well, I belong to the camp of those who got taken in, and I'll explain what's going on in our heads.
Most of us are people who feel lonely. On dating sites, in general, we receive very few responses. And the few that we do get are from girls who aren't chatty and are put on a pedestal by all the other guys. So basically, dating sites are a kind of vicious cycle that gradually brings you down lower than dirt, and at that point, you can't even see the scammer coming because you're so depressed and end up getting taken in.
So the people who say they don't understand, well, it's just that you have the chance to lead a perfectly normal life, but I'm sure you know at least one of those shy people who goes on dating sites.
In short, please stop being moralizing. Just because everything's great in your life doesn't mean it's the case for others.
Also, the person I dealt with had absolutely perfect French... So be careful, they aren't always that easy to spot sometimes.
I just want to respond to some comments that say "You shouldn't have done that, you bunch of idiots, you deserve it."
Well, I belong to the camp of those who got taken in, and I'll explain what's going on in our heads.
Most of us are people who feel lonely. On dating sites, in general, we receive very few responses. And the few that we do get are from girls who aren't chatty and are put on a pedestal by all the other guys. So basically, dating sites are a kind of vicious cycle that gradually brings you down lower than dirt, and at that point, you can't even see the scammer coming because you're so depressed and end up getting taken in.
So the people who say they don't understand, well, it's just that you have the chance to lead a perfectly normal life, but I'm sure you know at least one of those shy people who goes on dating sites.
In short, please stop being moralizing. Just because everything's great in your life doesn't mean it's the case for others.
Also, the person I dealt with had absolutely perfect French... So be careful, they aren't always that easy to spot sometimes.
Hi,
if a person is stupid enough to provide confidential personal information and to strip in front of a webcam, they get what they deserve...
At the same time, the scammer plays on fear, but if you don't pay, they can't do anything more...
It's like sending money to a stranger via money order or Western Union...
We keep repeating it everywhere, on TV, in the press, on forums, etc., to warn people against scams, but there are always some who think they are smarter than everyone else...
The Internet doesn't stop you from using your brain and thinking at least a little, but it's like as soon as some people are on their computers, they can't do anything or think at all...
The best protection is the keyboard-screen interface...
if a person is stupid enough to provide confidential personal information and to strip in front of a webcam, they get what they deserve...
At the same time, the scammer plays on fear, but if you don't pay, they can't do anything more...
It's like sending money to a stranger via money order or Western Union...
We keep repeating it everywhere, on TV, in the press, on forums, etc., to warn people against scams, but there are always some who think they are smarter than everyone else...
The Internet doesn't stop you from using your brain and thinking at least a little, but it's like as soon as some people are on their computers, they can't do anything or think at all...
The best protection is the keyboard-screen interface...
Well, the 'problem' is that if YouTube has a 'soft' policy and deletes everything that is erotic/pornographic, usually by themselves...
that's not the case with other sites (including Dailymotion).
Many sites are even specialized in this type of video.. and once the video is hosted, it's easy to send direct links...
If I could give a piece of advice (other than common sense) to those who want to play this little game (in addition to not playing), it's to never show your face during these exhibitions (step out of the camera frame before starting the exhibition and move the camera to display a different background in such a way that there’s not even a continuity (or put a sheet behind you)
that way, even if you get caught, they won't have any proof that it's you in the photo.
Similarly, when the person on the other side turns on the camera, always ask them to perform a specific action, preferably trivial so as not to raise suspicion, like reframe the camera, fix their hair, etc...
--
Stop failing the Turing test!
that's not the case with other sites (including Dailymotion).
Many sites are even specialized in this type of video.. and once the video is hosted, it's easy to send direct links...
If I could give a piece of advice (other than common sense) to those who want to play this little game (in addition to not playing), it's to never show your face during these exhibitions (step out of the camera frame before starting the exhibition and move the camera to display a different background in such a way that there’s not even a continuity (or put a sheet behind you)
that way, even if you get caught, they won't have any proof that it's you in the photo.
Similarly, when the person on the other side turns on the camera, always ask them to perform a specific action, preferably trivial so as not to raise suspicion, like reframe the camera, fix their hair, etc...
--
Stop failing the Turing test!
It happened to me in early July. He asked me for €400, I managed to negotiate for €150. After filing a complaint and bringing as many documents as possible, the discussions, screenshots, and validation emails from Western Union—everything I could find to provide evidence for my case—the police officer told me that if the scammers hadn't contacted me within a week, it was a done deal, they had moved on. But he explained that it had happened to another guy; they contacted him 3 days later asking for €300 more, and he refused, so the videos were published. You just have to wait; unfortunately, they'll quickly move on to another victim.
Hello, the same thing happened to me, but I didn't pay; my video has been removed from YouTube. Can it be uploaded elsewhere? I'm scared and I don't want to go out because my face is visible. What should I do????
No point in circulating this message...
Those who get taken in are idiots. Personally, helping idiots isn’t my style; I'm more of the kind who pushes them down. A little common sense leads to good actions. If we get ourselves into trouble, we don’t complain, especially not when we got into trouble all by ourselves.
Those who get taken in are idiots. Personally, helping idiots isn’t my style; I'm more of the kind who pushes them down. A little common sense leads to good actions. If we get ourselves into trouble, we don’t complain, especially not when we got into trouble all by ourselves.
This way of thinking is particularly vile...
A 12-year-old kid may not have the necessary perspective to judge whether or not he is about to do something stupid, and that's no reason to spit on him and tell him to fend for himself... Everyone can make mistakes.
This same "everyone" hasn't necessarily had the opportunity to go on CCM to see that this type of scam exists.
A 12-year-old kid may not have the necessary perspective to judge whether or not he is about to do something stupid, and that's no reason to spit on him and tell him to fend for himself... Everyone can make mistakes.
This same "everyone" hasn't necessarily had the opportunity to go on CCM to see that this type of scam exists.
Hello,
Read this discussion to the end and rest assured, it's a scam attempt.
And thank you for continuing here:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-31366614-chantage-a-la-cam
Read this discussion to the end and rest assured, it's a scam attempt.
And thank you for continuing here:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-31366614-chantage-a-la-cam
Hello,
So here I am, I'm the same, I had a moment of weakness and got caught like a fool! I did a webcam session with a beautiful blonde I was in contact with on FB and Skype. I got caught this morning...
Now I'm stressed, I have a knot in my stomach and I'm nauseous! I'm a very rational person but I'm struggling to deal with this first-ever blackmail in my life... I stress about what people would say if they saw it?
It all depends on how the video is distributed, because for me it’s just a video of little interest aside from maybe a risk of mockery...
For your information, the lady or the "scammer" is blackmailing me for €75,000
Otherwise, it would be wide distribution: friends, video sharing sites, school,...
Moreover, she threatened me saying it was illegal and all that...
I reacted directly after her announcement, as if I didn't see the problem with this video and that it didn’t bother me. I told her that €75,000 was a steep price for a smile, two nipples, and a dick.
I got in touch with the police right away, who told me it’s quite common and that I just need to wait with little risk!
Right now I'm waiting, I’m scanning Facebook to see if there’s anything! Other media are almost impossible to monitor.
Could you tell me how it goes afterward, if there’s a chance she might try to contact or intimidate me? How long until I can breathe and live in peace with my childish mistake of being desperate for sex!!!
So here I am, I'm the same, I had a moment of weakness and got caught like a fool! I did a webcam session with a beautiful blonde I was in contact with on FB and Skype. I got caught this morning...
Now I'm stressed, I have a knot in my stomach and I'm nauseous! I'm a very rational person but I'm struggling to deal with this first-ever blackmail in my life... I stress about what people would say if they saw it?
It all depends on how the video is distributed, because for me it’s just a video of little interest aside from maybe a risk of mockery...
For your information, the lady or the "scammer" is blackmailing me for €75,000
Otherwise, it would be wide distribution: friends, video sharing sites, school,...
Moreover, she threatened me saying it was illegal and all that...
I reacted directly after her announcement, as if I didn't see the problem with this video and that it didn’t bother me. I told her that €75,000 was a steep price for a smile, two nipples, and a dick.
I got in touch with the police right away, who told me it’s quite common and that I just need to wait with little risk!
Right now I'm waiting, I’m scanning Facebook to see if there’s anything! Other media are almost impossible to monitor.
Could you tell me how it goes afterward, if there’s a chance she might try to contact or intimidate me? How long until I can breathe and live in peace with my childish mistake of being desperate for sex!!!
Hello..
No problem with the 'Law'.. BULLSHIT..
But take some precautionary measures in addition to the absolute radio silence:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-30197070-arnaque-et-chantage-du-mali#8
The scammer, feeling like he's talking to walls, will quickly get bored.. In theory, in a few days he will have completely forgotten you (Unexploitable money source..).
And don’t stress.. And above all, be careful on the Net, it’s a ruthless jungle (Encounters, wild escapades, 'cheap' purchases, fake lotteries, phishing, etc..).
See you..
PS: The exotic scammer doesn't bother asking for €75k.. He will probably be ready to offer a substantial discount to a 'understanding' pigeon happy to only have to pay €750..
No problem with the 'Law'.. BULLSHIT..
But take some precautionary measures in addition to the absolute radio silence:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-30197070-arnaque-et-chantage-du-mali#8
The scammer, feeling like he's talking to walls, will quickly get bored.. In theory, in a few days he will have completely forgotten you (Unexploitable money source..).
And don’t stress.. And above all, be careful on the Net, it’s a ruthless jungle (Encounters, wild escapades, 'cheap' purchases, fake lotteries, phishing, etc..).
See you..
PS: The exotic scammer doesn't bother asking for €75k.. He will probably be ready to offer a substantial discount to a 'understanding' pigeon happy to only have to pay €750..
I have also just been hacked, but this time the hacker published the video on YouTube. I reported it as I wasn't the person in the video (right to image). In any case, the captured videos are not clear; they are blurry (you can only see outlines). Sure, it's scary to be in this position, but I think you have to get over it. Facebook and all kinds of links are still removed immediately. So do I just stay quiet and delete it? But the person is French, which is frightening. I still managed to take a photo of them just before; does that give me an advantage?
Personally, it has already happened to me since I am very good at computer science; I showed him that I could get his address without any problem.
Then, as if by chance, I didn't hear from him anymore, lol. I would really like to go see this guy to show him that it's not good to mess with people.
Then, as if by chance, I didn't hear from him anymore, lol. I would really like to go see this guy to show him that it's not good to mess with people.
Hello, I just got caught about 1 hour and 15 minutes ago, and I immediately deleted the Skype and Facebook contact. He told me, "I am from the NTEC, I am in charge of abolishing Pervercity via the net, tracking down the perverse effects, implementing the video for online dissemination in the newspaper and media, and reporting it to the gendarmerie as well as my report," followed by the names of some of my friends, and he threatened to show the video to them and my family if I don't go back on Skype. I didn't respond to him, and since then, there's been no trace of the video or a Facebook account with my information. Do you think they've moved on to something else?
Hello..
Just this abominable poorly digested mush:
I am tasked with abolishing Perversion via the net and getting a hold of the perverse effects, blah blah blah.. shows that you're facing a novice scammer who doesn't master his 'Art'..
Let it go, play dead and warn your contacts that you've just had your Skype + Hillbilly Ass hacked and that it's highly likely they'll receive emails containing a link loaded with a very dangerous virus (Irremediable destruction of their Hard Drive..).
So they should immediately eliminate any suspicious messages, especially if they contain your name or nickname..
This is a preventive measure, the little budding crook might have the bad idea of sending your major work to some of your contacts just for a laugh instead of making you pay..
See you later.
Just this abominable poorly digested mush:
I am tasked with abolishing Perversion via the net and getting a hold of the perverse effects, blah blah blah.. shows that you're facing a novice scammer who doesn't master his 'Art'..
Let it go, play dead and warn your contacts that you've just had your Skype + Hillbilly Ass hacked and that it's highly likely they'll receive emails containing a link loaded with a very dangerous virus (Irremediable destruction of their Hard Drive..).
So they should immediately eliminate any suspicious messages, especially if they contain your name or nickname..
This is a preventive measure, the little budding crook might have the bad idea of sending your major work to some of your contacts just for a laugh instead of making you pay..
See you later.
Thanks guys
I'm still a bit stressed, but your messages reassure me a little, or rather a lot
I still haven't heard from the "brouteur"! I changed a bunch of stuff on my Facebook and deleted everything on Skype!
Afrikarnak, what do you mean by that? : "In principle, in a few days he will have totally forgotten you"? The word principle scares me...
Do you think he will still publish the video?
And I wonder what they do with those videos?!
Thanks
I'm still a bit stressed, but your messages reassure me a little, or rather a lot
I still haven't heard from the "brouteur"! I changed a bunch of stuff on my Facebook and deleted everything on Skype!
Afrikarnak, what do you mean by that? : "In principle, in a few days he will have totally forgotten you"? The word principle scares me...
Do you think he will still publish the video?
And I wonder what they do with those videos?!
Thanks
Re:
The likelihood of 'publication' is LOW as it is a waste of time for the scammer; indeed, such videos are automatically deleted by Media Moderation.
But beware of sending the link to the 'contacts' list!
The scammer's goal is immediate profitability. They only dedicate their time/energy to prospecting new victims and to exploiting only those who respond.
A victim with 'absent subscribers' is not worth the effort (nearly zero return).
Cool, relaxed.. Chill!
See you!
The likelihood of 'publication' is LOW as it is a waste of time for the scammer; indeed, such videos are automatically deleted by Media Moderation.
But beware of sending the link to the 'contacts' list!
The scammer's goal is immediate profitability. They only dedicate their time/energy to prospecting new victims and to exploiting only those who respond.
A victim with 'absent subscribers' is not worth the effort (nearly zero return).
Cool, relaxed.. Chill!
See you!
Thank you
What surprises me is that I haven’t been contacted at all by the “scammer”, as if nothing happened! What scares me is that it might come up later! You never know how twisted people can be...
I’m sorry to expose my worries, but it’s something that deeply upset me!
I’ve finally understood the reality of the web!!!
It’s nice to read your supportive messages.
What surprises me is that I haven’t been contacted at all by the “scammer”, as if nothing happened! What scares me is that it might come up later! You never know how twisted people can be...
I’m sorry to expose my worries, but it’s something that deeply upset me!
I’ve finally understood the reality of the web!!!
It’s nice to read your supportive messages.
that's for sure, people are twisted!!
because getting off in front of anyone in front of a PC, to be twisted, you really have to be twisted!!!
anyway.. unlike the exhibitionist perverts, the scammers are not twisted at all, quite the opposite!!
they know how to take advantage of the obsessed!
that said, they don't waste time when they see it's not working.
and you won't hear from them again.
because getting off in front of anyone in front of a PC, to be twisted, you really have to be twisted!!!
anyway.. unlike the exhibitionist perverts, the scammers are not twisted at all, quite the opposite!!
they know how to take advantage of the obsessed!
that said, they don't waste time when they see it's not working.
and you won't hear from them again.
I was fooled too. I'm so ashamed to have been so stupid, I thought I would think a little more with my head but clearly not. I have a master's degree and I can't even see that a girl who tells me she's at the Sorbonne and can't write in French is not credible. I really thought I was less dumb. And here I am, always believing that I would spot all the scams, but apparently when it comes to sex, I'm less vigilant. I can only pray that he doesn't share the video with my contacts. Has this happened to anyone else? Thinking it over, I believe the guy has better things to do than waste his time doing that, but still, it seriously freaks me out. I was supposed to send him 500 euros (he really took me for a big sucker to ask for such an amount, really shameful) at 9 a.m. this morning, obviously I didn't do anything and didn't answer his calls.
Hello
Apply this:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-19259127-chantage-a-la-webcam-sur-facebook#118
See you+
Apply this:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-19259127-chantage-a-la-webcam-sur-facebook#118
See you+
It's already copy/paste.
Otherwise, I had other questions, has this practice existed for a long time? If so, how come we hear so little about it?
Otherwise, I had other questions, has this practice existed for a long time? If so, how come we hear so little about it?
On this forum, there are many testimonies.
But in general, men who get caught tend to feel ashamed... and don’t talk about it, and so they pay... and that encourages scammers....
AND when you're in a relationship, and you wanted to have some fun on the side, anything that can avoid a scandal is welcome....
Unfortunately, I am convinced that the majority of men who get fooled pay without trying to see who they are dealing with... And then it becomes an endless cycle, because when scammers have a good "pigeon," they can go very far to make them pay...
But in general, men who get caught tend to feel ashamed... and don’t talk about it, and so they pay... and that encourages scammers....
AND when you're in a relationship, and you wanted to have some fun on the side, anything that can avoid a scandal is welcome....
Unfortunately, I am convinced that the majority of men who get fooled pay without trying to see who they are dealing with... And then it becomes an endless cycle, because when scammers have a good "pigeon," they can go very far to make them pay...
I just read you and well for me it's done, I just got scammed by someone named Bako Hannachi 9113 Tunisia. I sent him several amounts of money via Western Union after he threatened to put my video on YouTube.
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And Miura, I don't think we're in the same situation... I'm not talking about people who occasionally go on dating sites, personally, I’m almost living on them because I'm rejected outside...
So yes, I agree, it's a mistake not to make, but there comes a point where you reach your limit, I believe you do not have the open-mindedness to understand this...
Before giving in to this scam, I received such requests and I never gave in. For your information, during this week, I contacted about 100 people a day in the hope of a response, and it wasn't a copy-paste. I did receive some responses, but those girls from the internet bring you lower than dirt. (That's not the case for all of them, fortunately...)
I spent 10 hours a day on these sites, and it's because I can't make any contacts when I go out. So don't tell me to go out to bars or whatever, it doesn’t work in France.
So when you get to my point, well, depression is so strong that you're capable of doing anything. What I'm saying is that people who get taken in aren't necessarily idiots, they are mostly psychologically and morally fragile people.
When you spend dozens of hours on dating sites to fight against your depression, I can already tell you that it’s a very bad idea because, on the contrary, your depression gets even stronger... I agree with you that meetings don’t happen in bars, but not on the internet either... I also thought that the internet could help me take a first step since I am quite shy and reserved in real life, but in the end, I met quite a few people who also had a heavy past, like many on the internet.
Today, I no longer go on any dating sites because that’s not where you'll meet your soulmate; this kind of site is just good for having a pleasant time between consenting adults according to the well-known saying "MEETIC, you click, you screw..."
Some will tell you that they met online and everything is fine... such encounters are quite rare.
When you say "So when you end up in my case, well, the depression is so strong that you can do anything. What I’m saying is that the people who get caught are not necessarily idiots, they are mostly people who are psychologically and morally fragile.", I've also experienced this, and I generally agree, but I never said they were idiots; just don’t forget to use your brain and think a little. For my part, I remain very cautious, especially on these kinds of sites...
For my encounters, I kept an up-to-date Excel file, with the username, profile, and various information I could collect. Such a file allows you to cross-reference the information and easily discover those who change their identity every five minutes.
My experience with this type of site is now over; I am no longer looking for anything, especially not online. And when nature calls, it’s easy to find company on the same sites; that’s their only advantage, it saves you from going out for nothing.
The issue isn't a matter of intelligence; it’s just that some people are naturally more naive than others or less suspicious.