Email is a tool that is often exploited by cybercriminals. According to a 2025 study from Digital Forensics Corp., email is one of the most used platforms for extortion. A recent and growing tactic involves a scammer sending an email claiming to have videos of a victim. These claims of surveillance and video recordings can be terrifying to face. However, the claims are rarely what they seem.
Understanding the New Email-Based Scam
This cybercrime begins with a direct email from the cybercriminal. The email contains a terrifying statement — that they have hacked your device and captured an incriminating video using your webcam. They typically claim to have recorded the explicit footage while you were browsing adult websites. The message will also make threats to send the video to your family or friends within hours. The only way to stop them from exposing the video is to pay the perpetrators as soon as possible.
However, it’s rare that the cybercriminal actually possesses anything incriminating on the victim. The email claiming to have videos of you may be a direct result of a data breach exposing your contact information. These emails threatening to release videos are typically empty threats. They send their emails to hundreds of people, hoping that the message aligns with someone’s real-life behavior. All it takes is one person to believe the message for the scheme to be effective.
Variations of the Email Video Threat Scam
Some of the emails claiming to have videos of victims are designed with different purposes. The criminals may not rely solely on threats to force compliance. Instead, they may include a malicious link or attachment as an added email video threat tactic. When you click on the link or attachment, malware is deployed onto your device. This gives the perpetrator access to your sensitive data.
Perpetrators Will Include Personal Details in the Email
Another email video threat tactic involves using the personal details of the victim — found in data breaches or on public profiles — to seem more credible. This can include full names, phone numbers, addresses, home photos, and more.
Why Did I Get an Email Saying Someone Has Videos of Me — from My Own Address?
Some victims have even received emails claiming to have videos of them from their own address. Cybercriminals pull off this email video tactic by spoofing their email addresses to appear as though they’ve hacked into the target’s email account. It’s a scare tactic that feeds into their fake story that they have been spying on you.
Recognizing Fake Video Email Threats
Emails saying someone has a video of you are rarely targeted or personal. It’s more likely that your email was a part of a huge spam campaign sent to hundreds of users. These scammers typically follow a similar script, repeating common email video threat tactics that can also be easily identifiable warning signs. If you receive an email claiming to have videos of you, look for the following red flags.
- The email will make threats without any proof. An email claiming to have videos of you will often make threats without including any actual proof. The message relies on fear and intimidation to pressure you into compliance.
- They include an old password. The fake email saying they have a video of you rarely includes the incriminating video or image. However, they will use other personal information to make the threat seem real. This could include an old password exposed in a data breach or an image of your home from Google Maps.
- The email comes from your own address. If you receive an email that seems like it’s coming from your own address, you should verify the source. Check the sender information to see if it matches your own. You should also check your “Sent” folder for any unfamiliar messages.
- Awkward phrasing and misspellings. Many of these fake emails are created by people who are not fluent in English. They tend to make repeated errors like phrasing that doesn’t sound natural to native speakers or misspelling words.
- Emails will have a lot of urgency. Criminals intend to make their victims panic with their threats. They use urgent deadlines and imminent exposure to pressure victims into acting without thinking.
What To Do If I Receive an Email Claiming to Have Videos of Me?
If you receive an email video threat, you need to keep a clear head. It’s important to remember that most email video threats are empty and that criminals depend on scare tactics. Whether the email is real or not, there are steps you should take to protect yourself. Here is what you should do if you receive an email threatening to release videos of you.
- Look for signs of account breaches. The cybercriminal may have used information from a data breach to gain access to your email account. Check for any strange activity, such as a changed password, unfamiliar logins, or suspicious emails.
- Collect evidence. Take screenshots of the conversations with the perpetrator. Be sure to include all the information you can provide, including the date and time. This can help the police establish a timeline of events.
- Notify the email service provider and FTC. Make sure to report the email to the platform provider. This could lead to the sender getting blacklisted or blocked.
- Seek help from law enforcement. Your local police department is a valuable resource for victims. Even if the criminal is making empty threats, many departments have cybercrime units that specialize in identifying anonymous perpetrators. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the national hub for tracking cybercrimes. You should also report the scam to IC3 to notify the FBI and help them track national trends.
- Work with cybersecurity professionals. Private cybersecurity firms can trace the criminal’s digital footprint and discover any exposed information in data breaches. They will also help you strengthen the security on your devices and online accounts.
Real-Life Case: Ontario Woman Receives Email Video Threat
In 2024, an Ontario woman received an email claiming to have videos and photographs of her. The perpetrator threatened to share the content with her loved ones unless she paid the fraudster $1,900 in Bitcoin. The message stated that they remotely took over the woman’s computer, recording compromising videos and images of the woman while she was visiting adult websites.
The email did not contain the videos or images. However, they did include her name, home address, email, cell phone number, and an image of the street that her house is on. The woman recognized it was a scam because she never visited such websites and immediately contacted the police.
Avoid These Mistakes If You Receive an Email Threatening to Release Your Videos
Being targeted with claims of surveillance and incriminating recordings is frightening and can cause significant emotional distress. Many victims feel compelled to pay the ransom to protect themselves in case the cybercriminal is telling the truth. However, that would be a mistake. Just as there are actions you should take, there are also many behaviors that can make the situation worse. The following are examples of what you shouldn’t do when receiving an email claiming to have videos of you.
- Don’t ignore it. If you’re being targeted in an email video scam, it’s likely that your information was exposed in a data breach. They may attempt to access your online accounts or steal financial information.
- Don’t pay. You should never comply with a cybercriminal’s demands. Not only does this encourage them to demand more money from you, but it also may make their threats more aggressive.
- Don’t respond or delete the email. Any reply to the email claiming to have videos of you only enables the perpetrator to make more demands. However, deleting the message is also discouraged. Doing so removes any digital footprint the perpetrator may have left behind. It’s best to preserve the email for law enforcement or cybercrime experts to use in their investigations.
- Don’t click on links or attachments. Always exercise caution with all links and attachments, especially those coming from unfamiliar email addresses. They may contain malicious content and can create an even larger issue.
Update Your Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication
When it comes to receiving an email claiming to have videos of you, it’s best to assume that your personal information was involved in a data breach. Perpetrators may even include an old password in their threatening email to make the message feel more legitimate. You need to update all your passwords to ensure your accounts are secure. Enabling two-factor authentication is also an essential step in preventing hackers from gaining access to your accounts.
How Digital Forensic Corp. Supports Victims of Email Video Threats
If you are a victim of email video threats, you don’t have to go through the experience alone. At Digital Forensic Corp., our mission is to protect individuals from bad actors looking to exploit them. We are available 24/7 to help victims of cybercrimes.
Don’t panic if you have received an email claiming to have videos of you. Contact DFC today to have experts working alongside you to protect your privacy and fight back against the culprit.
