Medford Police Warn Public of Bitcoin Blackmail Scam

Medford, Oregon- The Medford Police Department has issued a public alert regarding a new blackmail extortion scam targeting local residents. Victims have reported receiving threatening emails from individuals claiming to possess personal or incriminating information. The senders are demanding payment in Bitcoin to prevent the alleged information from being released.

Police officials are urging residents not to comply with the demands, emphasizing that this is a scam. If payment is made, the scammer will likely continue to exploit the victim for more money. The public is advised to treat these emails as junk and delete them immediately. In cases where the emails persist, recipients are encouraged to contact the Medford Police Department for further assistance.

The department highlighted that online scam tactics are continuously evolving, making it essential for individuals to remain vigilant. As part of the guidance, residents are urged to follow these key safety measures:

Avoid opening emails from unknown senders.
Do not click on suspicious attachments or links.
Exercise caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals on social media platforms.

If anyone has received emails of this nature, they are encouraged to report them to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

The Medford Police Department continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as needed.