Back to Email Says Hacker Recorded You on Webcam (Sextortion)

This is a version of Email Says Hacker Recorded You on Webcam (Sextortion).

Hotmail 'You’re in.' Sextortion Email with 50‑Hour Countdown

Email sent to and from the same Hotmail address claims the recipient’s devices were hacked, a “Trojan” was installed, and embarrassing webcam videos were recorded while visiting adult sites. The sender demands an amount in Bitcoin to a specific wallet and threatens to share the videos with friends and coworkers if unpaid within 50 hours. The message uses odd, mixed characters to bypass spam filters and tells the recipient not to contact police or reply. This is a very common sextortion pattern targeting Hotmail accounts.

Hotmail 'You’re in.' Sextortion Email with 50‑Hour Countdown | Primary Image

What’s different in this version

These traits set this message apart from the usual pattern.

  1. Sender address is the same as the recipient (spoofed/forged appearance).

  2. Uses unusual letters and symbols to evade spam filters.

  3. Includes a strict 50-hour payment deadline.

  4. Tells victim not to contact police or reply.

  5. Provides a specific Bitcoin wallet address.

  6. Closes with a taunting line (“Clean your desk.”).

  7. Targets Hotmail users; commonly seen on Hotmail/Outlook.

How this scam works

  1. 1

    Step 1: An email arrives claiming your computer or phone was hacked and monitored.

  2. 2

    Step 2: The message says your webcam and accounts were controlled and that embarrassing videos were recorded.

  3. 3

    Step 3: The scammer demands payment (usually in Bitcoin) and sets a countdown timer to pressure you.

  4. 4

    Step 4: They may make it appear the email came from your own address, which is common on Hotmail/Outlook and does not mean they have access.

  5. 5

    Step 5: They threaten to send the supposed video to your contacts if you don’t pay.

  6. 6

    Reality: These emails are sent in bulk. In almost all cases, there is no video and no device control—just empty threats.

✓ Do this

  • Stay calm. Do not pay—paying encourages more threats and does not make the emails stop.
  • Mark the email as junk/phishing and delete it (use “Report phishing” in Hotmail/Outlook if available).
  • If you reused your email password anywhere, change it and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
  • Check your email account’s recent activity for unusual logins, and sign out of sessions you don’t recognize.
  • Cover your webcam if it gives you peace of mind, and keep your devices and browsers up to date.

✗ Avoid this

  • Do not reply to the email or negotiate.
  • Do not send money or cryptocurrency.
  • Do not click any links or open any attachments in the message.
  • Do not let the countdown timer rush you—the deadlines are fake.

Verbatim excerpts from the scam

Exact lines from emails or messages—searchable text so you can compare wording.

  1. 1 Excerpt 1
    Subject: You're in.
  2. 2 Excerpt 2
    "About few weeks ago I have gained full access to all devices used by you for internet browsing. I started recording all your internet activities. I installed a Trojan, now I can access your cam, keyboard, mic & others."
  3. 3 Excerpt 3
    "I noticed you are a regular visitor of websites with adult content... I recorded [redacted] and will share it with your friends, colleagues, and relatives."
  4. 4 Excerpt 4
    "You need to transfer XXXX US dollars (in bitcoins) to my account. Here is my btc account (delete whitespaces): XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. You have only 50 hours."
  5. 5 Excerpt 5
    "Do not reply, do not call police or any security services, and do not reinstall your OS. Crypto transactions are anonymous and cannot be tracked."

Screenshots & Examples