ShinyHunters name used in Italy sextortion email scam

Italy’s national cyber‑security agency CERT‑AGID has identified an international sextortion campaign that arrived in Italy on 28 July. The fraudsters send e‑mail messages pretending to be the notorious hacking group ShinyHunters, demanding US$2,000 in Bitcoin within 48 hours under threat of publishing alleged intimate videos of the victim.

The messages claim the attackers have hacked the victim’s online accounts, installed exploits on devices and can access cameras, microphones and personal data – a typical bluff with no evidence of real compromise. The Bitcoin wallet cited in the emails shows no activity, and ShinyHunters has publicly denied any involvement. CERT‑AGID advises recipients not to respond, not to pay, to delete the e‑mail and to report the incident.