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Sextortion scams evolve with Google Maps images to intimidate victims

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Sextortion scams evolve with Google Maps images to intimidate victims

Scammers often rely on fear to steal your hard-earned money. No matter the scam, whether it’s a Microsoft call scam or government impersonation, they all attempt to scare you by claiming that something is seriously wrong with you or your devices and that only they can fix it. The latest sextortion scams targeting many in the U.S. are no exception.

These bad actors contact you via email, claiming to have compromising photos or videos of you in private situations, and demand money to delete them. What’s new is that these scammers now include images of your home to make their threats seem more convincing.

I’ve received emails from many people sharing how these scammers targeted them. Below is a breakdown of the evolved sextortion scam and tips on how to stay protected.

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Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How the scam works

It starts when you get an email from a scammer claiming they recorded you while you were watching adult content. They use your name and include a photo of your house or a nearby street to make it seem real.

The scammer claims to have installed a spyware called “Pegasus” on your phone and has access to everything you watch. Pegasus is a spyware developed by NSO Group, a company that sells it only to government agencies and law enforcement. 

It’s super expensive and highly unlikely that a random scammer would have access to it. Even if they did, stalking people watching adult content wouldn’t be worth their time. Plus, if they have installed the spyware on your phone, they won’t need to ask you to send money.

Once the scammer has you scared, they offer to delete the so-called footage and pretend you never existed if you pay them. They usually include a QR code for a cryptocurrency wallet and ask for Bitcoin as payment. One email I saw from a victim mentioned a ransom of about $2,000.

I’ve attached a portion of the email the victim got below. I’ve blurred out any personal info to protect their identity, but you can still check out the text.

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Actual sextortion scam email (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HERE’S WHAT RUTHLESS HACKERS STOLE FROM 110 MILLION AT&T CUSTOMERS

How do scammers know your location?

The image of your home might make the scam look real, but it’s probably just a trick. One possible reason they have that info is a data breach. Your address might have been leaked in a breach and ended up on the dark web. Scammers could have gotten hold of it and used Google Maps to find a picture of your house. Another reason could be that you put up a listing for something online, like a rental or sale ad. If you’ve shared your address publicly in an online listing, scammers might have found it that way.

Google Maps vehicle that captures images (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MASSIVE FREE VPN DATA BREACH EXPOSES 360 MILLION RECORDS

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Protect your privacy: Blur your house on Google Maps

Google Maps is how they get access to images of your house. But you can blur your house on the platform and prevent scammers from fearmongering. You’ll need to do this from a computer since the blurring feature isn’t available in the Google Maps app on iOS or Android. Follow these steps to learn how:

  • Go to maps.google.com and type your home address into the search bar at the top-right.
  • Click on the photo of your house that shows up.
  • You’ll see a Street View image of your place. Click Report a Problem in the bottom-right corner.
  • Adjust the view so that your home and anything else you want to blur is inside the red and black box using your mouse.
  • Select the option to blur your home from the choices given.
  • Hit Submit, and Google will review your request and blur your house if they think it’s necessary.

Google Map-blurred home (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4 additional steps to stay protected from sextortion scams

Here are four additional steps you can take to stay protected from sextortion scams:

1) Be cautious with personal information: Avoid sharing personal information like your address, phone number or other sensitive details online. Be mindful of what you post on social media and other platforms.

2) Watch out for red flags: Scammers are mostly bluffing. For instance, the Pegasus software they claim to be using is a lie. Stay informed about common scams and how they work. Knowing what to look out for can help you recognize and avoid potential threats.

3) Change passwords: If the email includes a password, make sure you are not using it anymore, and if you are, change it as soon as possible. ON ANOTHER DEVICE (i.e., your laptop or desktop), you should change your passwords for all your important accounts, such as email, banking, social media, etc.

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You should do this on another device to ensure that if the scammer actually has access to your device, they aren’t recording you setting up your new password. And you should also use strong and unique passwords that are hard to guess or crack. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely. Changing passwords should be a part of your general cybersecurity hygiene, even if you’re not affected by a data breach.

4) Use personal data removal services: Consider investing in personal data removal services that specialize in continuously monitoring and removing your personal information from various online databases and websites. 

I mentioned above that scammers most likely got access to your address through a data breach. A data removal service can help you remove all this personal information from the internet. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM

Kurt’s key takeaway

Scammers use fear and deception to trick you into giving up your hard-earned money. By understanding how these sextortion scams work and knowing what to look out for, you can better protect yourself from falling victim. Remember, most of these scammers are bluffing and rely on exploiting your fears. Keep your personal information secure, be cautious about what you share online and always verify the legitimacy of any threatening messages you receive. If you encounter a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities and take steps to secure your accounts and devices. 

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Have you ever encountered a similar scam or any other type of scam? How did you handle it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle

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OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle

OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.

In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”

To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.

It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.

In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.

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Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”

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Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?

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Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:

“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”

If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.

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  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
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  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US

This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What the traffic ticket scam text looks like

At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.

The biggest red flags in this message

Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.

9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU

1) The phone number makes no sense

The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.

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2) No name, just “Dear Driver”

Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.

3) The link isn’t a real DMV website

The message includes this link:

ca.mnvtl.life/dmv

That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.

4) Urgency and threats

The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.

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FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE

5) Asking you to reply to proceed

The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.

6) Generic language and odd phrasing

Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.

7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you

The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

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Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means for you

Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data.  State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.

Why these scams keep working

These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.

Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams

Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:

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1) Do not click the link

If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.

2) Use strong antivirus software

If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

3) Verify directly with the DMV

Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.

4) Check the sender carefully

Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.

5) Ignore generic greetings

Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.

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6) Consider a data removal service

Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

7) Block and report the number

On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.

8) Turn on spam filtering

Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.

Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

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Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.

In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.

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