New Canaan Police Warn Residents Of Bitcoin Blackmail Scam

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan police are issuing the same warning as Darien police to be on the lookout for a Bitcoin "blackmail" scheme that has been circulated recently to people in the area via email, phone or letter.

In the scam, a perpetrator contacts an unsuspecting victim and tells them that they know a secret about them. To avoid having the secret publicly revealed, the victim is ordered to pay a certain amount of money via the digital currency Bitcoin.

"I'm going to cut to the chase," the letter states. "I know about the secret you are 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'm talking about."

The letter goes on to describe the supposed turmoil this "secret" information could cause if it is released, and it asks for a blackmail payment of $3,500 in Bitcoin to keep it from being distributed.

Bitcoin is an anonymous online monetary system, and funds transferred in the format cannot be traced or recovered, according to authorities.

Both Darien and New Canaan police say that residents in both communities have received the letters, and if you or anyone you know receives one, do not pay anything and immediately contact the police department.

Photo: New Canaan Police Department