Extortion Scam Resurfaces In Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is reminding residents of an extortion scam that has resurfaced.

The police department first informed the public about it in mid-September.

Residents are receiving messages from someone who claims to have hacked into their phones and has been tracking their activity, police said in a news release Thursday.

The email goes on to threaten that unless residents pay, the scammer will reveal details of their personal lives to everyone on their contact list.

The email uses threatening language, includes a QR code to use for bitcoin payments and gives recipients one-day payment deadlines, police said.

The scammer usually refers to victims by name and has their street addresses and photos of their homes, usually from Google Maps, according to the news release.

Police urged residents not to engage with the scammer in any way and not to scan the QR code.

Residents are asked to call the police department's non-emergency line at 708-246-8540 if they receive such emails.

"Be suspicious of anyone who reaches out by email demanding immediate payment for any kind of personal or professional infraction," police said in the news release.