Westlake Police are warning residents about an increase in blackmail scam emails. Scammers claim to have monitored recipients' online activities and demand payment in bitcoin or gift cards to avoid exposing personal internet habits. These emails often appear personalized, using details like the recipient's name, address, or photos of their home, which are easily accessible online. The police stress that these are mass emails and there's no evidence that the scammers are local or based in the U.S. They advise against paying any debts or bills through Bitcoin or gift cards and recommend contacting the police if anyone receives suspicious emails, pop-ups, or text messages.

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cuyahoga-county/these-are-scams-westlake-police-warn-email-scheme-targeting-residents-home-photos-blackmail-threats-crypto-gift-cards/95-4c75cf18-0879-45d3-9041-95f6f214c727.