New Hampshire

Blackmail scam alert: NH residents targeted

Published

1 year ago

December 2, 2024

Blackmail scam alert: NH residents targeted

Special to Seacoastonline
| Portsmouth Herald

CONCORD — Attorney General John M. Formella has issued an alert warning of a blackmail scam targeting New Hampshire residents, including the state’s older adult population.

The state attorney general’s office has received several reports from residents who have received similar e-mails from senders who are unfamiliar to them. The e-mail subject line contained the recipient’s name. The body of the e-mail contained the recipient’s name and home address. A similarly worded, threatening letter was attached to each e-mail. The letter contained the recipient’s name, telephone number, home address, and a picture of the recipient’s home. The letter claimed that a virus was placed on the recipient’s electronic device, allowing the sender to track the recipient’s browsing history, e-mails, and social media accounts.

The letter warns that the sender has extracted embarrassing information about the recipient. The sender threatens that the embarrassing information will be sent to the recipient’s e-mail and/or telephone contacts unless the recipient pays a “privacy fee” using cryptocurrency. The letter lists the amount of the “privacy fee” and cryptocurrency account information for deposit.

An e-mail containing this type of letter as an attachment is known as a “blackmail scam.” Residents should understand that the senders of these e-mails have not actually been to the recipient’s home. They have obtained personal identifying information from publicly available sources and included photos of the recipient’s home obtained online in the letter. Further, the sender has not gained access to the recipient’s electronic device. Instead, the sender threatens the recipient to create a sense of fear and urgency so that the recipient will pay money.

The Attorney General urges New Hampshire residents to be vigilant. Do not reply to or open any attachments in electronic messages from senders with whom you are unfamiliar. Anyone who opens one of these letters attached to an e-mail should take the following steps:

Do not panic.
Do not send money, including cryptocurrency, in response to the letter.
Contact your local police department, especially if you have lost money.
If you are concerned about whether your computer or other device has been compromised, contact a reputable computer company you can verify to inspect your device.
Report the scam to the Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection Hotline:

1-888-468-4454E-mail: Doj-CPB@doj.nh.govwww.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints

Anyone with knowledge that a vulnerable adult has been scammed or financially exploited should also contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, at 1-800-949-0470.

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New Hampshire

Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show

Published

8 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show

Have you heard of Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

It’s touted as “New England’s largest and most spectacular holiday light show,” and it’s just one more incredible event you should check out this Christmas season.

According to its website, Holly Jolly Journey has added a million lights for this recent season, meaning there are now over 3 million dazzling lights you can take in while walking through.

What Is Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

Located at Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, Holly Jolly Journey is a walk-through Christmas light event that spans over 2/3 of a mile and features some incredible displays all along the way.

Some of the spectacular things you can see include Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Twinkly Tunnel and Teddy’s Christmas Corner, among others.

The walk is truly mesmerizingly festive.

The Holly Jolly Journey website also notes some new stuff for the 2025/26 season, including additions to almost every scene along the walk, more trees lit, more food and drink stations, a new 28-foot centerpiece, and a new indoor party suite.

When is the Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

According to its website, the Holly Jolly Journey takes place from the day after Thanksgiving through January 11. It is closed on Christmas Eve.

There are multiple time slots to choose from, starting at 4:30 p.m. and with the last time slot of the day being at 10 p.m. (for those late-night holiday owls).

It should take about an hour to complete, but you can take as long as you’d like.

READ MORE: New Hampshire’s Dazzling 2-Mile Holiday Drive-Thru With 3 Million Lights Returns for 2025

Have you decided which holiday experience you should do this season? You certainly don’t have to limit yourself to one, and Holly Jolly Journey is one you might want to consider. With over 3 million lights and incredible displays on a festive walk perfect for the family, you’ll be soaking up the sparkle of Christmas in the best way possible.

You’ll also have so many Instagram-worthy pics with that glowing backdrop!

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Gallery Credit: Kira

New England’s Top Christmas Towns Are Perfect for a Magical Winter Getaway

Gallery Credit: Megan

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash

Published

20 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash

DOVER, New Hampshire (WGME) — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges after reportedly speeding more than 100 miles per hour during a police chase.

New Hampshire State Police say it happened Saturday night on Route 16 in Dover.

Troopers say they tried to pull over the driver, Stephanie Dupont, but she took off at high speed.

Troopers say they followed her to Exit 3, where she veered off the road.

After the crash, they say she jumped out of the car and tried to flee on foot.

An off-duty officer from Ogunquit happened to be near by and was able to stop her.

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Officials say Dupont suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

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New Hampshire

Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law

A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution.

In a lawsuit filed this summer, the plaintiffs alleged the measure, which was backed by state Republicans, places a disproportionate burden on people with disabilities by making it harder to vote.

On Friday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling that the new policies are reasonable.

The new law requires people requesting an absentee ballot to prove their identity in one of three ways: either mail in a photocopy of an ID, along with their ballot application; have their ballot application notarized; or show an ID at town hall prior to an election.

In his opinion, Ruoff said, “The identification requirements impose ordinary burdens on all absentee voters, and the possibility that it may cause additional burden on a subset of absentee voters does not render the entire statute unconstitutional.”

It isn’t clear if the plaintiffs will appeal the ruling to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

“We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court.

New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.

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