What You Need to Know About the ‘Hello Pervert’ Email Scam

There are more forms of communication today than ever before. As the internet continues to evolve, cybercrime tactics change with it. Despite technological advancements, email remains the most common vector for cyberattacks. Online users have reported blackmail and sextortion emails, in particular, as a major issue that affects thousands of people every year. One of the newest sextortion scams, known as the ‘Hello Pervert’ email, is spreading rapidly. If you have an email, it’s important to understand the scam and how to protect against it.

What is the ‘Hello Pervert’ Email?

A ‘Hello Pervert’ email is a general scam template for cybercriminals to send to tens, if not hundreds, of people at a time. These emails make terrifying allegations and threats in an attempt to coerce recipients into paying a ransom. The email will state that the sender hacked into the recipient’s devices weeks ago and has had access to everything on it.

Furthermore, they will claim that the webcam has been used to secretly record the recipient performing explicit acts while watching adult content. Shaming language is also leveraged to induce guilt and the fear of humiliation — hence the email starts with the greeting, “Hello Pervert”.

The blackmailer will threaten to publicly expose the explicit videos or directly send them to the victim’s family and friends. The only way for victims to protect their privacy is if they pay the perpetrator a certain amount of money. In some cases, the sextortionist may even promise to delete the incriminating content if the victim pays the ransom. However, it’s extremely likely that the criminal will break their word.

In truth, the claims in these emails are fake and used by criminals to apply pressure on potential victims. Blackmailers disseminate the ‘Hello Pervert’ email, hoping the claims align with someone’s real-life habits. Once a recipient responds, the scammer will continue to send threats and demands to force the victim into compliance.

Real ‘Hello Pervert’ Extortion Email Example

Different Types of Sextortion Email Scams

While there is a ‘Hello Pervert’ scam template, cybercriminals will create sextortion emails with different purposes. It’s vital to understand the nuances between the emails and how you should respond to each version. The following are the main forms of sextortion emails to expect.

Fabricated Sextortion Email Threats

Cybercriminals will target emails exposed in a data breach and have little knowledge about the recipients. They use ‘Hello Pervert’ email templates to email their targets, which typically include fabricated claims and empty threats. Sextortion threats should always be taken seriously. However, there are clear indicators to take note of that reveal an email is simply a bluff. Here are the signs to look for.

• The email is generic and lacks personalization. If the email never mentions your name and uses vague language, it was probably a batch sent out to hundreds of users.
• There are claims of possessing incriminating content, but it is not included in the email. Sextortionists often lie about incriminating content because it’s a simple way to gain money. However, a blackmailer would include the images or videos in the email if they had them. This increases the chances of you meeting their demands.
• The email that was sent to you was also sent to others using the exact same language. You can look on social media platforms for templates that match the email sent to you. ‘Hello Pervert’ emails, for example, are easy to find on Reddit.
• The claims don’t match your reality. The scammer will make many claims of your activities and possessing video footage of you. However, these claims are one size fits all and may not be relevant to you.
• Scammers include an old password or an image of your home address in the email. Blackmailers often target emails uncovered in a previous data breach, along with passwords, addresses, and more. To convince you that the sextortion threats are real, scammers will include old passwords or images of your home on Google Maps. It’s important to remember that sextortionists will use any information to convince you that they have hacked into your devices.
• The email references Pegasus spyware. ‘Hello Pervert’ emails commonly mention Pegasus spyware as the tool weaponized to hack into your devices and accounts. However, Pegasus spyware is a powerful tool used by government agencies to target high-profile targets like journalists and politicians.

Sextortion Emails That Contain Malicious Attachments

Email remains an easy entry point into corporate or private devices. Some sextortion emails are not only created to blackmail victims for monetary gain, but they are also designed to install malware onto a victim’s device and gain access to their private data.

Scammers will send a sextortion email with claims of having incriminating images or videos. However, the email will direct victims to view the content in an attachment. This, of course, is a malicious file that will infect your device. If you click on it, hackers can gain access to your login credentials, files, and even explicit content. This can quickly turn a sextortion email scam into a real threat.

The Email Looks Like It Was Sent from Your Own Account

It’s common for scammers to send sextortion emails to victims using their own email addresses. Otherwise known as email spoofing, cybercriminals use this tactic to convince recipients that their email accounts are compromised.

You might see your own email address in the ‘From’ section, but that is a forged address. Email software allows users to put fake information in the ‘From’ field. However, email filters will detect and flag the email as spam.

Should I Ignore ‘Hello Pervert’ Sextortion Emails?

‘Hello Pervert’ emails are hoaxes the majority of the time. However, you should still proceed with caution when deciding how to respond. You need to verify the threats and make sure that they are not real.

Take note of the warning signs that we previously mentioned, but there will be many red flags that the email is a scam. If the email threats are fake, it’s best to ignore them. Responding to the blackmailer will only confirm the email address is active, making you a target for more scams.

Steps To Take If You’re Targeted by a Sextortion Email

Receiving a sextortion email is scary. However, it’s important to keep a cool head. Acting in a panic can cause you to make a vital error. Instead, stay calm and follow the recommended steps to protect yourself. Here is what you should do if you receive a blackmail email.

• Don’t pay the blackmailer. You should never comply with a blackmailer’s demands. Paying the criminal often results in more demands and threats. It also communicates that you are susceptible to their tactics.
• Save the email. Victims should preserve sextortion emails and document them. If you delete the email, you erase critical data that can be used by cybercrime experts in an investigation. The email can serve as evidence to support future legal actions as well.
• Report the email to the platform. Email platforms can suspend or terminate an account if enough users report the sender. They can also flag the sender as spam. This reduces the chances of others falling victim to the same scammer.
• Secure your accounts. Change your password and ensure that it has the characteristics of a strong password. You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.
• Notify law enforcement. Your local police can help you verify the validity of the email and file an official report that documents the event. They may also conduct an investigation to locate and unmask the perpetrator responsible.

For more information on how to handle a sextortion threat, check out our article on what to do when you receive a blackmail email.