Bitcoin Blackmail Scheme Again Discovered In New Canaan: Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — Another bitcoin blackmail scheme recently victimized a New Canaan resident, according to police who are again issuing a warning to be on the lookout for such scams.

The scam involves a message - sent by email, regular mail or by phone - that threatens to expose a "secret" unless the victim makes a payment in bitcoin.

"I'm going to cut to the chase," the threat states. "I know about the secret you keeping from your wife. More importantly, I have evidence of what you have been hiding. I won't go into the specifics here in case your wife intercepts this, but you know what I am talking about."

The letter continues that the resident needs to pay the sender a "confidentiality fee" in bitcoin, which is an untraceable online digital currency system, in order avoid exposure of the so-called "secret."

In recent months, these notes have been sent to residents in Darien, New Canaan and other communities (a Patch reader in Greenwich also says that he received the same letter within the past few months). New Canaan police are urging people not to fall for it.

"This scam has reappeared for NC residents by email, phone, and postal mail," wrote New Canaan police on the department's Twitter page. "DO NOT pay in anyway! Ignore!! Ignore!! Ignore!!"

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