In short
An email claims the sender hacked the victim, has compromising information/video or can cause harm The objective is typically to extort payment through an unverified or fabricated threat.
What it is
The message uses fear and embarrassment to make the threat seem credible. The victim is then pushed to pay money/crypto and keep the incident secret.
How it starts
An email claims the sender hacked the victim, has compromising information/video or can cause harm.
What they tell you
The message uses fear and embarrassment to make the threat seem credible
What they want you to do
Pay money/crypto and keep the incident secret
How you lose money
extort payment through an unverified or fabricated threat
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
fear | shame | urgency | secrecy | email spoofing | extortion
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Do not pay solely because of threats; preserve evidence, secure affected accounts/devices and report the incident promptly to law enforcement/cybercrime channels.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.