Sextortion Scams Become More Threatening in 2025
Avast, part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), reports a concerning 137% increase in sextortion scam risks across the U.S. in 2025. These scams are becoming more sophisticated through the exploitation of AI technology and data breaches to create highly personalized threats.
Criminals are using AI to generate deepfake images and leveraging Google Maps for targeted attacks. The scammers utilize personal information obtained from the Dark Web to create convincing threats, with over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets identified in connection with Google Maps-related scams.
Michal Salat, Threat Intelligence Director for Avast, warns against engaging with these scammers, emphasizing that victims often receive threatening messages claiming access to private content, made more credible by the use of stolen passwords from previous data breaches.
Avast, parte di Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), riporta un preoccupante aumento del 137% nei rischi di truffe di sextortion negli Stati Uniti nel 2025. Queste truffe stanno diventando sempre più sofisticate grazie allo sfruttamento della tecnologia AI e delle violazioni dei dati per creare minacce altamente personalizzate.
I criminali utilizzano l'AI per generare immagini deepfake e sfruttano Google Maps per attacchi mirati. I truffatori utilizzano informazioni personali ottenute dal Dark Web per creare minacce convincenti, con oltre 15.000 portafogli Bitcoin unici identificati in connessione con truffe legate a Google Maps.
Michal Salat, Direttore della Threat Intelligence per Avast, avverte contro l'interazione con questi truffatori, sottolineando che le vittime ricevono spesso messaggi minacciosi che affermano l'accesso a contenuti privati, resi più credibili dall'uso di password rubate in precedenti violazioni dei dati.
Avast, parte de Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), informa sobre un preocupante aumento del 137% en los riesgos de estafas de sextorsión en EE.UU. en 2025. Estas estafas se están volviendo más sofisticadas mediante la explotación de la tecnología de IA y las violaciones de datos para crear amenazas altamente personalizadas.
Los criminales están utilizando IA para generar imágenes deepfake y aprovechando Google Maps para ataques dirigidos. Los estafadores utilizan información personal obtenida de la Dark Web para crear amenazas convincentes, con más de 15,000 billeteras de Bitcoin únicas identificadas en conexión con estafas relacionadas con Google Maps.
Michal Salat, Director de Inteligencia de Amenazas para Avast, advierte sobre la interacción con estos estafadores, enfatizando que las víctimas a menudo reciben mensajes amenazantes que afirman tener acceso a contenido privado, lo que se vuelve más creíble por el uso de contraseñas robadas de violaciones de datos anteriores.
Avast는 Gen (NASDAQ: GEN)의 일환으로 2025년 미국에서 sextortion 사기 위험이 137% 증가했다고 보고했습니다. 이러한 사기는 AI 기술과 데이터 유출을 악용하여 매우 개인화된 위협을 만들어내며 점점 더 정교해지고 있습니다.
범죄자들은 AI를 사용하여 딥페이크 이미지를 생성하고 Google Maps를 활용하여 표적 공격을 합니다. 사기꾼들은 다크웹에서 얻은 개인 정보를 이용하여 신뢰할 수 있는 위협을 만들어내며, Google Maps와 관련된 사기와 연결된 15,000개 이상의 고유 비트코인 지갑이 확인되었습니다.
Avast의 위협 인텔리전스 이사인 Michal Salat는 이러한 사기꾼과의 접촉을 피할 것을 경고하며, 피해자들은 종종 개인 콘텐츠에 대한 접근을 주장하는 위협 메시지를 받으며, 이는 이전 데이터 유출에서 도용된 비밀번호 사용으로 더욱 신뢰성을 더한다고 강조합니다.
Avast, partie de Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), signale une augmentation préoccupante de 137 % des risques de scams de sextorsion aux États-Unis en 2025. Ces escroqueries deviennent de plus en plus sophistiquées grâce à l'exploitation de la technologie IA et des violations de données pour créer des menaces hautement personnalisées.
Les criminels utilisent l'IA pour générer des images deepfake et exploitent Google Maps pour des attaques ciblées. Les escrocs utilisent des informations personnelles obtenues sur le Dark Web pour créer des menaces convaincantes, avec plus de 15 000 portefeuilles Bitcoin uniques identifiés en lien avec des escroqueries liées à Google Maps.
Michal Salat, Directeur de l'Intelligence des Menaces chez Avast, met en garde contre l'interaction avec ces escrocs, soulignant que les victimes reçoivent souvent des messages menaçants affirmant avoir accès à des contenus privés, rendus plus crédibles par l'utilisation de mots de passe volés lors de violations de données précédentes.
Avast, Teil von Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), berichtet von einem besorgniserregenden Anstieg von 137% bei den Risiken von Sextortion-Betrügereien in den USA im Jahr 2025. Diese Betrügereien werden durch die Ausnutzung von KI-Technologie und Datenpannen immer ausgeklügelter und schaffen hochgradig personalisierte Bedrohungen.
Kriminelle nutzen KI, um Deepfake-Bilder zu erstellen, und verwenden Google Maps für gezielte Angriffe. Die Betrüger verwenden persönliche Informationen, die sie im Dark Web erhalten haben, um überzeugende Bedrohungen zu erzeugen, wobei über 15.000 einzigartige Bitcoin-Wallets im Zusammenhang mit Google Maps-bezogenen Betrügereien identifiziert wurden.
Michal Salat, Direktor der Bedrohungsintelligenz bei Avast, warnt davor, mit diesen Betrügern in Kontakt zu treten, und betont, dass die Opfer häufig bedrohliche Nachrichten erhalten, die den Zugang zu privaten Inhalten behaupten, was durch die Verwendung gestohlener Passwörter aus früheren Datenpannen glaubwürdiger gemacht wird.
- Avast's threat intelligence capabilities demonstrate strong market positioning in cybersecurity
- Company shows proactive approach in identifying and tracking cyber threats with specific data (15,000+ Bitcoin wallets)
- Rising sextortion threats could increase pressure on Avast/Gen's security infrastructure
- Growing sophistication of AI-powered attacks may require additional R&D investment to maintain effective protection
"Sextortion victims frequently receive threatening messages claiming access to their private videos and images. These scams are made even more convincing with the use of stolen passwords from past data breaches, lending an alarming sense of credibility," said Michal Salat, Threat Intelligence Director for Avast. "Fear of exposure, especially when personal details appear accurate, often pressures victims into complying with ransom demands. However, we strongly advise against engaging with these scammers, no matter how real the threats may seem."
New Threatening and Intrusive Tactics
Criminals are refining their tactics, thanks to the help of AI and a wealth of personal data available from recent large-scale breaches. As the sophistication of AI increases, so do the explicit extortion emails, texts and calls from scammers. AI is being used by scammers to create 'deepfake' images, fake explicit photos created by superimposing a victim's face onto another body, coupled with threatening messages to distribute them.
One of the latest techniques used by cybercriminals leverages Google Maps to create a more invasive and personal approach that can really shock and intimidate a victim into complying with their demands.
Criminals – utilizing names, addresses, and emails readily available on the Dark Web due to data breaches – can create very targeted emails to victims containing fabricated footage and unsettling information and images of their real homes. Scammers will also claim to have gained access to victims' devices to extort their victims by threatening to share sexual content or information about them. Cybersecurity experts at Avast have identified over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets associated with the Google Maps scams, though the scope of the operation is likely much larger.
Avast experts emphasize the importance of proactive protection against sextortion scams and urge people to never engage with messages that could be from scammers. The following actions help to combat sextortion efforts:
- Do not pay ransom demands or respond to threats.
- Do not engage with these emails, texts or calls or open any associated PDF attachments.
- Always report such crimes to the relevant cybercrime units. In the US victims can reach out to the FBI or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Use a reputable password manager to ensure unique passwords for all accounts and prevent reuse.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to enhance account security.
- Monitor your data for breaches by using dark web monitoring services, through products such as Avast Secure Identity, to be alerted when personal information is exposed so you can act quickly to help protect your accounts.
- Do not panic - stay informed and take action to secure your accounts.
As sextortion scams become more advanced, it is crucial for individuals to remain cautious and take steps to safeguard their digital privacy. Public awareness and vigilance remain critical in combatting these threats.
For more information, visit https://www.avast.com/index#pc.
About Avast
Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac, and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at Avast.com.
Brittney Posey | Courtney Rowles |
Gen | Edelman for Gen |
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.
FAQ
How much has the risk of sextortion scams increased in the US during 2025?
What new tactics are scammers using in GEN's reported sextortion schemes?
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