North Reading Police Warn About Blackmail Scam

It's old meets new as a well-known scam recently targeted a North Reading resident.

Chief Michael P. Murphy reports that the North Reading Police Department is investigating after a resident received a typed letter in the traditional mail on Monday demanding a blackmail payment be made via the digital currency called Bitcoin.

Police indicate that it is a new spin on one of the oldest money scams going. The sender informs the resident that they have "evidence" about "the secret you are keeping from your wife." The sender agrees to "forget all about you and let you get on with your life" in exchange for a $2,500 "confidentiality fee" that must be paid via Bitcoin.

"These types of scams all have one thing in common: a criminal threatens an unsuspecting resident, but promises that the threat can go away in exchange for money paid via a method that usually cannot be tracked and cannot be recovered," Chief Murphy said. "Above all, please do not pay these people. These are fraudulent threats aimed at stealing your money."

These scams have been around for many years and come in a wide variety of types and methods including:

Scammers demand money via Western Union wires, pre-paid debit cards, gift cards, mailed cash, or Bitcoin in almost all cases. Scams can come in the mail, email, social media, or via telephone (landline or cell phone).

Similar letters were received by residents of other communities around the country. In the North Reading example, it was a widely used form letter with the resident's name added throughout to give the appearance of authenticity.

Chief Murphy urges all residents to be vigilant with these types of scams and report them to your local police department.