Authorities warn residents of mailed extortion scheme

CASPER (WNE) — Local and state authorities recently warned residents of an extortion scheme involving mailed Child Sexual Abuse Material, or CSAM, and a ransom note.

Officials from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force sent out the alert, telling the public that law enforcement in Natrona County in the last 24 hours has received at least two reports of this scheme targeting residents, with additional reports made around the state.

According to the alert, the letters appear to have been mailed using a Canada postal stamp and claims the recipient has clicked a suspicious website link that provided hackers access to the recipient’s devices.

It also demands payment within 36 hours or law enforcement will be involved.

In addition, the letter, which arrives to the recipient’s home address including a URL and QR code for Bitcoin, Coinbase or Cash App payment and mentions recipient’s family members by name.

“This scheme is not only about extortion, it weaponizes some of the most serious crimes imaginable,” Natrona County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Task Force Officer Drew Cotton said in a news release. “Making a report to law enforcement ensures we can investigate quickly, protect potential victims and hold offenders accountable.”

Authorities are asking anyone who received such a letter not to open it. Instead report it immediately to local authorities or to the Casper DCI office at 307-261-2194.